Hometown Food Company has named Havas Chicago digital and social creative partner for its Pillsbury and Funfetti brands after a formal review.  The agency’s CPG expertise—it also counts Hefty, Reynold’s and Ragu as clients--weighed heavily its favor according to Hometown.  The agency will handle strategy and creative for the brands’ digital and social platforms. Duties include new campaign development, digital media planning, social strategic management, social creative concepting, content creation and community management.  The shop says it will focus creative work on the brand’s skill at bringing “the latest food trends—and fun—to the kitchen.”  “Our team was ...

Vision Express is appointing Leo Burnett London as the optical retailer’s lead creative agency following a competitive review. Dare, part of Oliver Group previously held the account since 2010. AAR was responsible for managing the pitch process. The Publicis Groupe-owned agency will be responsible for all creative output and strategic direction of the brand. Vision Express, part of Grand Vision, is one of the largest optical retailers in the UK.    

Irvine, CA-based Hooray Agency, a specialist in the hospitality sector, has been named AOR for Resorts World Las Vegas, a new hotel and casino opening the summer 2021.  Hooray will be responsible for establishing the brand's identity, crafting an integrated advertising campaign, developing an ecommerce platform and supporting grand opening strategy and events.  The new resort will have 3,500 guest rooms and suites; an array of eateries ranging from street food to Michelin-starred dining; upscale retail shopping and various entertainment offerings.  Hooray clients include Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Pebble Beach Company, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Starwood ...

Preston Kelly has been named Agency of Record for Minneapolis complex Paisley Park that houses a museum, recording studio and concert venue. Paisley Park was the late recording artist Prince’s home and private recording studio.  The agency will lead brand strategy, creative, media, social media and public relations, and consult on business strategy as Paisley Park expands and elevates the experiences it offers to guests.   

Massachusetts Eye and Ear has appointed Cogniscient Media to handle paid search marketing.  Cox Media Group was the incumbent.  

Online realty platform Zillow has appointed AMP Agency as its lead digital agency to focus on customer experience strategy, design and personalization. This agency partnership is designed to assist the company in evolving away from a search-and-find platform to offer full-funnel offerings, including purchasing and selling homes. The four-month competitive review was managed by the Mercer Island Group. UM remains its media agency while FIG was tapped for creative duties in January.  

Ferrara Candy Company’s Black Forest brand has named independent Duncan Channon its creative agency of record, after a competitive pitch. DC will be responsible for strategy and creative to build the Black Forest brand, including launching a new integrated campaign in summer 2020. The brand is known for its Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms candy products. The agency’s first effort will be a TV spot in support of a cause-based promotional campaign from Black Forest. Duncan Channon also handles strategy and creative duties for sibling Ferrara candy brand SweeTarts. In 2019, DC launched a SweeTarts campaign to ...

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is appointing OH Partners as agency of record to manage the brand launch strategy and creative execution for the resort opening in fall 2020. The selection followed a formal review. To help service this account, the agency has opened a dedicated Las Vegas office, with support from the OH Partners team in Phoenix, AZ. Agency leaders did not specify campaign strategy but it is likely to describe the property’s robust luxury offerings, including a 60,000 square foot casino operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment. There are also over five acres of poolside spaces ...

Lineage Logistics has appointed DP+ as agency of record for the provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions. The selection followed a formal review. Under the agreement, DP+ will create a multi-channel communications effort with a focus on branded video content, website design, social media, and experiential marketing. New work is expected to launch in the first half of 2020.    

Baltimore’s Kennedy Krieger Institute has selected Minneapolis-based Preston Kelly as its brand, advertising, creative and paid media agency of record. The appointment followed a nationwide agency search. The agency is tasked with leading a comprehensive brand makeover and launch of a multi-media campaign to raise awareness in the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas. Kennedy Krieger Institute provides inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy. It’s also home to a research team dedicated to understanding how disorders develop and pioneering new  methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment.