Financial services giant Visa is conducting a global media agency review, the company has confirmed. The company spends an estimated $200 million annually on ads, more than half of it in the U.S. The incumbent is OMD, which won the last Visa global media review back in 2008. The Omnicom shop is expected to defend, but declined to comment, referring queries to Visa. The review comes amid changes in the marketing ranks at the client. Chief Brand Officer Antonio Lucio is leaving for a CMO position at HP Inc. And CMO for core products Kevin Burke left in December and …

Ad shop Mechanica, has been named branding agency of record (AOR) by seafood brand Sea Cuisine. Mechanica will be responsible for the development of a new campaign for Sea Cuisine -- a High Liner Foods brand -- including online and print advertising, digital marketing, and in-store events, among other communications elements. Mechanica has worked with other High Liner brands as well.  A key element of the new campaign will be to inspire consumers to purchase and prepare seafood at home more often. Jeff Tahnk, Vice President, Retail Marketing at High Liner Foods, said, “Mechanica has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to bring strategic thinking …

Following a 12-agency review, fast-casual burger chain Smashburger has selected Minneapolis-based creative agency mono as its new Agency of Record. The incumbent agency Vladimir Jones did not participate in the review. Smashburger says the MDC-owned agency was chosen for "their all-in approach that combined strategic insights with their ability to translate those insights into outstanding creative." “We are always pushing ourselves and our agencies to deliver world-class creative with appeal that engages our customers and drives business growth,” says Josh Kern, Chief Marketing Officer at Smashburger. “The team at mono clearly demonstrated a passion for the Smashburger brand as well …

Wells Fargo is consolidating its media assignments with Omnicom Group agencies after a review that kicked off late last year. The official announcement is expected in a few weeks, with the new assignments effective June 1. OMD will continue to serve as the lead agency for traditional media planning and buying, and now adds search and digital planning responsibilities, previously handled by Interpublic Group’s UM. Multicultural planning and buying was also consolidated with OMD in a unique partnership with Buzz Marketing, the Haddonfield, NJ-based specialist that focuses on multicultural and millennial consumers, as well as moms. Before this, the multicultural business …

VTech has appointed Siltanen & Partners as its new creative agency after a review. The company, a maker of developmental stage-based electronic products for children, also retained Horizon Media for media duties. VTech spent $15.88 million on advertising in 2014, down from $16.32 million in 2013, according to Kantar Media. The review was led externally by Stephen Boehler of the Mercer Island Group. 

SelectNY has been named lead agency for Stage Stores Inc.  In this role, SelectNY is leading all aspects of the rebranding of Stage stores. In addition to the Stage namesake brand, Stage operates stores under the Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal and Peebles nameplates.  The win came after a formal review that included five other undisclosed agencies. The agency's  work will influence and guide everything from social media to traditional media and even employee name badges and branded shopping bags. “Our stores are a place where store managers and sales associates are deeply involved in the community and take pride in welcoming every customer …

Norwegian Cruise Line has begun a review of both its creative advertising and media planning and buying assignments, the company confirmed Wednesday. The Martin Agency, which has handled both creative and media duties since 2011 has opted not to participate in the review. The client spent about $33 million on ads last year according to Kantar. Norwegian issued a statement: “Norwegian Cruise Line is moving into review for both creative and media agency business.  We have enjoyed four successful years of working with The Martin Agency to grow the Norwegian brand and consumer awareness.  While The Martin Agency has chosen …

MGM Grand Detroit, part of MGM Resorts International, has appointed McCann Detroit its integrated agency of record. The agency selection follows a competitive review and is effective immediately.  “Much like MGM Grand Detroit, McCann Detroit is in the center of the action and excitement in the city. When you combine that with the agency’s strategic vision and innovative creative insight, you have a winning partnership,” said Steve Zanella, President and Chief Operating Officer MGM Grand Detroit. “We are already a premier destination resort hotel and casino. With McCann Detroit’s help, we’ll now take that to the next level and raise …

Full-service marketing agency BFG Communications has been tapped by the American Marketing Association (AMA) to assist with the development of a new brand positioning.  The agency was selected without a review by the AMA’s new CEO, Russ Klein. The assignment is effective immediately. The AMA is expected to launch the resulting work as early as this summer. Klein refers to the rebranding as the “Next AMA,” further describing it as “a personalized community focused on the inherent tension between so-called best and next practices necessary for outperformance in marketing.”  BFG’s Chief Strategy Officer Richard Leslie will lead the agency team …

Jabra, a line of wireless sports earbuds, named LeadDog Marketing Group as its Jabra North American marketing agency of record. LeadDog will handle Jabra's domestic sports marketing duties, leading negotiations and establishing partnerships, in addition to developing strategies and activation plans around sports and lifestyle platforms. LeadDog's primary work will be establishing on-site and digital strategy to support Jabra's global position as the official performance partner of The World Triathlon Series. "We're really excited to partner with Jabra and help them continue to thrive in the hot sports audio and wearable technology categories," said Dan Mannix, President and CEO of …