The National Basketball Association (NBA) has named Starcom Mediavest Group (SMG) as its media-buying and planning agency. Previously, the league worked with Media Storm. SMG will work with Translation, which won the league’s creative agency account in December. The NBA's ad budget was $135.8 million in 2014, up from $93.6 million in 2013, according to Kantar Media.  

FCB has been selected for global advertising duties by the Hero Group, a Swiss-based international food company after a formal review. The company’s brands include Betty Crocker, Cake Mate, Organix, Beech-Nut and others, although FCB will work on just the Hero "masterbrand" products. It operates in over 30 countries where it markets jams, food and milk for babies and toddlers, and other products. The account will be run out of the agency’s Zürich office, which led the pitch. “FCB Zürich and the entire FCB network not only convinced us with their strategic vision and creativity regarding the Hero masterbrand, but …

Zurich-based Aryzta, the owner of Otis Spunkmeyer, the food service and fundraising cookie brand, has hired ad agency Nail Communications to launch its new line of baked treats as part of a strategy to increase its retail presence.  The account was awarded after a formal review. “We’re not only expanding the way that people can enjoy Otis Spunkmeyer with new foods, but also the places they can find our range of cookies, snack cakes and other baked treats,” said Kristina Dermody, Brand President, Arytza.  “Nail Communications will create a campaign that will make sure our new brand journey is given …

WE ARE Pi has been awarded the RTL Z financial news channel account, based on the agency's partnership with TED Conferences. The Amsterdam-based agency will handle TV, print, digital, social media, and events to support the September 2015 relaunch.

Solve's current client Lactalis awarded the agency its Black Diamond cheese brand without a review. The agency's work will span strategic positioning, design and consumer communications. "We're delighted to expand our relationship with Lactalis," said John Colasanti, CEO of Solve. "Black Diamond aged cheddar is a crown jewel within their award-winning specialty portfolio." Black Diamond spent $7.4 million on measured media in 2013 and $7.2 million in 2014, according to Kantar Media. The brand spent $2.9 million on measured media the first quarter of 2015. Current Solve clients include Bentley Motors, Cascadian Farm Organic, True Value Hardware, Porsche, President Cheese, …

Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airlines Etihad Airways, Alitalia, Air Berlin and Jet Airways named Starcom, as its global media agency, following a review. Consolidated work will be managed from Starcom's offices in the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy, India and London. "Starcom demonstrated that they fully understand the emerging media scene which has digital media at its core," said Shane O"Hare, senior vice president of marketing for Etihad Airways. "Their highly experienced team, resources, planning tools and buying clout in all the key EAP markets gave them a clear edge in the tender." Added Matt Blackborn, president, investment and diversification at …

SodaStream International tapped Dallas-based agency Commerce House to create a TV campaign aimed at repositioning the in-home carbonator. The company is addressing the dilemma of sugary and artificially flavored beverages by focusing on sparkling water made to order by consumers. The agency will create a campaign repositioning the company from soda maker to sparkling water system. The campaign will launch later this summer. McCann previously served as SodaStream's agency of record. "We're focusing on empowerment -- made by you, not for you," said Daniel Birnbaum, chief executive officer of SodaStream. "Our mission is to revolutionize the beverage industry by giving …

NRG Energy tapped Droga5 New York as its agency of record, charged with promoting the NRG brand, expanding its social presence, and creating a campaign for its home solar division. "NRG needed a strategic partner that could help ignite a real conversation about energy beyond our industry," said Sicily Dickenson, CMO and senior vice president, marketing and customer experience at NRG. "Droga5 was the clear choice to help us find disruptive ways to engage with and inspire people to take action around a complex but important topic -- the future of our planet." Added Sarah Thompson, Global CEO at Droga5: …

Bulova Corporation tapped Mediassociates to handle media planning, buying and campaign optimization. First work will include improving Bulova's digital advertising. "We are extremely proud to help Bulova, one of the world's leading brands, continue to grow in the U.S.," said Scott Brunjes, CEO and president of Mediassociates. Bulova spent $3.1 million on measured media in 2013 and 4.3 million in 2014, according to Kantar Media.

Following an RFP, KBS Toronto was named agency of record for the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, part of Sinai Health System. Cause Company, KBS's cause-related marketing division, will lead strategy and creative. KBS Cause Company will introduce residents to the new Sinai Health System brand and support the public launch of the Campaign to Renew Sinai, the largest fundraising campaign in the organization's history. KBS will debut the first phase of a brand campaign in late 2015. "KBS is a strong strategic partner and storyteller," said Kevin Goldthorp, CEO, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation and executive vice president, advancement & marketing, …