Monday, December 7, 2015
- J. Walter Thompson New York
Cobra Puma Golf named J. Walter Thompson New York as its lead creative agency. JWT has served as Puma's lead global creative agency for the past two years. VML previously handled the account. A subsidiary of Puma since 2010, Cobra Puma Golf consists of two brands: Cobra Golf, a manufacturer of clubs and accessories, and Puma Golf, a global apparel, footwear and accessories brand. The agency has begun work on a global brand campaign that include television, print, digital and social media elements. "With J. Walter Thompson's proven track record and deep understanding of the PUMA brand, a partnership between COBRA PUMA GOLF and J. Walter Thompson is a natural and exciting extension of our already strong collaborative relationship," said Robert Philion, president and CEO, Cobra Puma Golf. "We are excited to have them on board, helping us to expand our brands' reach through our marketing stories and creative campaigns." Cobra Golf spent $4.2 million on measured media in 2014 and $2.8 million the first six months of 2015, while Puma USA, consisting of all Puma brands, spent $10.2 million on measured media in 2014 and $1.1 million the first six months of 2015, per Kantar Media. - TBWA\Chiat\Day New York
Sport Chek, a Canadian sports retailer, named TBWA\Chiat\Day New York as its lead strategic and creative agency, following a RFP process. Sid Lee was the incumbent until they formally parted ways with the brand in May, 2015. Sports Chek has been working with agencies on a project basis since the split. First work for Sport Chek will launch in early 2016, with a focus on sport-led digital content. Sport Chek opened two flagship stores in the Greater Toronto Area this year, and a digital concept store in Toronto's Maple Leaf Square. "We have a very strong vision for our brand and where we want to take it," said Frederick Lecoq, senior vice president of marketing and eCommerce, FGL Sports, "The Sport Chek brand journey aligns with the TBWA mind-set which made them a natural fit as a partner in our digital transformation." Added Troy Ruhanen, chief executive officer, TBWA Worldwide: "Sport Chek is a truly impressive brand and business. They are growing like wildfire, which gives us a springboard to tell their story, and also challenges us to capitalize and build on their current momentum. With our New York team at the helm and support from our Toronto office, we look forward to delivering disruptive work and finding more white space for the brand and business to continue to grow." Sport Chek is the 16th piece of new business awarded to TBWA in the U.S. in the last 14 months, alongside Airbnb, GoDaddy, Netflix, Miller Lite, Twitter and Thomson Reuters, to name a few. - Harmelin Media
Harmelin Media was named media planning and buying agency of record for SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, PA. The agency will be part of advertising a new expansion project at SugarHouse Casino. The expansion will include new restaurants, including Gibsons Restaurant Group's (GRG) Chicago-based Hugo's Frog Bar & Chop House, and a 30,000 square-foot event center. The event center will be catered exclusively by GRG. The casino aims to increase brand awareness of the expansion program, which is scheduled to open by year's-end. SugarHouse Casino spent close to $2 million on measured media in 2014, per Kantar Media. - Cibo
Cibo was named brand experience agency of record for Income&, a financial technology company focused on redefining the fixed-income marketplace. Cibo is also an investor in the company. Work, over the course of a two-year contract, consists of brand messaging, a mobile app and how-to videos, explaining the app to new users. "I knew from my previous work with Cibo that they had all the skills we needed to create a brand and launch it," said Keith Meyer, chief marketing officer of Income&. "We had a name and a logo, but we needed everything else." Added Lu Lacourte, CEO of Cibo: "We believe fundamentally in the competitive advantage that comes from applying design thinking to business so much so that we're willing to become not just partners, but investors too." Additional Cibo clients include Tesla, Salesforce, Volcom, Subaru, Twitter, Lenovo, Union Bank/MUFG, Facebook and Disney. - Archer Malmo
Archer Malmo was named the agency of record for StollerUSA, manufacturers of agricultural products to help growers increase crop yield and quality. The agency will handle advertising, design, digital development and marketing, media and public relations. "Archer Malmo has deep experience in the agriculture sector and a long track record of developing innovative and award-winning integrated communications programs on behalf of clients," said Jeff Morgan, corporate marketing director for StollerUSA. "The agency demonstrated a strong understanding of our customers and market, and we believe this partnership will allow us to better articulate the Stoller difference to a larger group of growers, retailers and key industry partners."
