Accounts on the Move
Monday, January 9, 2017
  • Devotion Spirits
    The Halo Group
    The Halo Group was named agency of record for Devotion Spirits, a sugar-free, gluten-free, American-made vodka. Devotion Spirits has a nutrition label on its bottle, and The Halo Group's first work will be a campaign showcasing the brand's transparency. Work will include public relations, event management and social media elements.

    "As the needs of consumers are constantly changing, it's crucial for brands to connect to their target audience's values and speak their language," said Linda Passante, co-founder/CEO of The Halo Group. "We are eager to work with Devotion Vodka to highlight their vodka line and nutritional labels, which set them apart in the alcohol & spirits category."

  • Honeybaked Ham of California
    MBMG
    Honeybaked Ham of California tapped Milner Butcher Media Group (MBMG) as its media agency of record, without a review. Initiative previously handled the account.

    MBMG's first assignment was to develop a local market broadcast campaign to drive sales during the holiday season.

    "MBMG has a strong pulse on the local marketplace based in part to their political buying activity," stated Richard Gore, vice president of Honeybaked Ham of California. "This gave us supreme confidence in their ability to secure the inventory we need to help drive sales."

    Honeybaked Ham spent $3.7 million on measured media in 2015 and $1.2 million the first nine months of 2016, per Kantar Media.

  • Navdy
    Jellyfish
    Jellyfish was named digital agency of record for Navdy, a driving device that uses augmented reality (AR) to project phone necessities and car information directly in the driver's line of sight.

    The agency will handle paid search, display, video, search engine optimization, social media, email marketing, analytics, conversion rate optimization, creative and development solutions.

    "Jellyfish presented a number of advanced digital strategies that not only matched perfectly with our ambitious marketing goals, but also took our needs as a new product very seriously. Their commitment to transparency and partnership sealed the deal for us," said Dan Currie, chief revenue officer of Navdy.

  • Wawa
    Harmelin Media
    Harmelin Media was named media agency of record for Wawa. The agency will be responsible for various media channels including TV, radio, out-of-home, digital channels and sports sponsorships. External View Consulting Group assisted in managing the agency search process.

    "We are looking forward to working with Harmelin Media in continuing our growth and supporting the Wawa brand," said Lisa Wollan, head of consumer insights and brand strategy for Wawa.

    Wawa spent $32.2 million on measured media in 2015 and $7.9 million the first half of 2016, according to Kantar Media.

  • TD Bank
    TBWA\Chiat\Day New York
    TBWA\Chiat\Day New York was named U.S. creative agency of record for TD Bank.

    "I'm confident that TD Bank's new partnership with TBWA will enhance our capabilities in brand advertising, strategy and product marketing," said Patrick McLean, chief marketing officer of TD Bank. "Known as 'The Disruption Company,' TBWA is culturally aligned with TD Bank's approach as a disruptor brand. Having demonstrated work that is grounded in research to develop brand platforms, we look forward to working with TBWA."

    Added Nancy Reyes, managing director of TBWA\Chiat\Day New York: "TD Bank is a progressive and disruptive company whose values inspire us everyday. We are honored to partner with them and look forward to building an equally disruptive brand platform that tells the TD Bank story."

    TD Bank spent $45.7 million on measured media in 2015 and $16.7 million the first half of 2016, per Kantar Media.

  • U.S. Bank
    Crossmedia
    Crossmedia was named media agency of record for U.S. Bank, following a review. Empower MediaMarketing previously handled the account.

    The account will be handled out of Crossmedia's New York office. Work will include planning, buying and real-time analytics. Creative is handled by Carmichael Lynch, based in Minneapolis.

    "Our analytics capabilities clearly made a difference for the team at U.S. Bank," said Lee Beale, managing director for Crossmedia. "It was our ability to hold a magnifying glass to the company's business and clearly articulate those challenges and opportunities."

    U.S. Bank spent $58.5 million on measured media in 2015 and $31.2 million the first half of 2016, per Kantar Media.

  • Money Management Institute, Blucora, and Avon 39
    Peppercomm
    Peppercomm was awarded Money Management Institute (MMI), Blucora, and Avon 39 accounts.

    MMI is an industry trade group for financial services organizations that provide investment advice. Peppercomm will help the company leverage its analysis and thought leadership via various media channels and audiences.

    Blucora provides tax-advantage investing products and services through TaxAct and HD Vest. The agency will create and implement media relations programs for the two brands through social, earned media, events and speaking opportunities.

    Avon 39 is The Walk to End Breast Cancer, a 2-day, 39-mile challenge to help find a cure. Peppercomm will create a brand strategy and handle creative for TV, radio, print, digital display and video, among other duties.

  • Bevi
    Diffusion
    Bevi, a water cooler that provides filtered still and sparkling water in flavored and unflavored options, named Diffusion as its public relations agency of record following a pitch. The agency is tasked with growing Bevi's brand vision to eliminate plastic bottles from the workplace.

    Founded in Boston in 2013, Bevi supplies smart water machines for use in offices. The tablet-dispense system is connected to the Internet via cloud-based system, where Bevi can track the levels of CO2 and flavor concentrates to proactively replenish inventory.

    "Vending machines and traditional bottled water coolers have dominated the office space for decades, however Bevi offers a healthy, green and convenient alternative, providing a variety of filtered flavored sparkling and still water," said Sean Grundy, CEO of Bevi. "With our strong vision to address a sustainability issue by reducing plastic waste and making offices more environmentally friendly, we strongly believed in working with a PR agency that shared our ethos."

  • Blue Chip Tek
    GEM Advertising
    GEM Advertising was awarded work for Blue Chip Tek, an IT services consulting & implementation firm that works with companies from startup to enterprise that need leverage over their IT infrastructures. The agency will handle branding, develop a new website, print collateral and other marketing assets.

    "I'm thrilled with both the current partnership and the future potential that exists between GEM and Blue Chip Tek. GEM's passion and capabilities are 100% congruent with how Blue Chip Tek's CEO, Jessica Geis, operates and drives her organization to be the powerhouse IT brand that it is," said Chris Bartlett, CEO of GEM Advertising.

  • Brandman University
    Vitro
    Brandman University, a nonprofit university providing undergraduate, graduate, credential and certificate programs for adults online and at campuses throughout California and Washington, named Vitro as its agency of record, following a review.

    The agency will oversee advertising research, strategy, production and integrated communications across television, radio, digital, and out-of-home, as well as media planning/buying, and a website redesign.

    "Adults seeking to continue their education are facing a very complex, confusing environment as they weigh their options and look for an institution that will provide a real pathway to a degree," said Roger Lee, chief marketing officer for Brandman University. "With Vitro's strong capabilities in research and brand development, we'll be able to elevate Brandman University from other adult education providers and strongly communicate the strength of our programs and consistent success in graduating our students."

  • Fairlife
    Doner
    Following a review, health and wellness company fairlife named Doner as its agency of record, charged with strategy and creative duties. The agency will oversee marketing and advertising for fairlife's ultra-filtered milk and new products.

    Using a cold-filtration process, fairlife ultra-filtered milk concentrates the natural protein and calcium found in milk, reduces its natural sugars and is lactose-free.

    "Expressing what fairlife stands for and developing a deep and relevant relationship with people interested in a health and wellness lifestyle is paramount. We're providing a whole new way to enjoy great tasting real nutrition," said Steve Jones, CEO of fairlife. "Doner's values and innovative work makes them an ideal partner. They see the world the same way we do."

    Added David DeMuth, president & CEO of Doner: "We are excited to help fairlife reimagine the dairy category by getting consumers to rethink milk, a household staple. "Fairlife's commitment to quality, freshness and superior nutrition has made them one of the most innovative companies in the world, and we look forward to helping advance their marketing and their mission."

  • Richmond International Raceway
    St. John & Partners and PCG SportsDesk Media
    Richmond International Raceway (RIR) named St. John & Partners (SJ&P) and PCG SportsDesk Media (PCG SportsDesk) as its agencies of record. SJ&P will handle creative and media buying and PCG SportsDesk will handle digital media. RIR also partnered with Richmond, VA-based Alliance Group and Madison+Main on a long-term branding project.

    "SJ&P has a proven history in motorsports as the agency of record for Daytona International Speedway, and will bring that experience to work for Richmond International Raceway with our media strategy and creative," said Mike Waddell, vice president of marketing & communications at RIR. "Likewise, PCG SportsDesk has been a proactive partner for several NASCAR teams with a keen focus on driving results in consumer and corporate sales based on pinpoint analytics."

  • SodaStream
    Allenby Concept House
    SodaStream, manufacturer of home beverage carbonation systems, tapped Allenby Concept House as its leading global creative agency. The agency, based i Israel, has created eight campaigns for the brand in the last five years.

    The agency's "Heavy Bubbles" campaign for SodaStream won the 2016 Golden Drum Award for best online campaign. Last month, it launched "Shame Or Glory," a follow-up video that parodied the walk of atonement of Queen Cersei in HBO's "Game of Thrones."

    "First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoy working with Allenby. They are risk takers, innovative, witty, and a whole lot of fun," said Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of SodaStream. "Creatively, they always come to the table with something unexpected and spot on for the mission at hand. It is rare to find that combination of personality, creativity, and impeccable execution."