UM, part of IPG Mediabrands has been tapped as media AOR for Expedia’s Canadian region, the agency has confirmed. MediaCom had previously worked with the travel company’s Canadian division. Expedia media director for the Americas Elizabeth Dorrance noted that the agency’s data and analytics capabilities helped tip the balance in the agency’s favor.

Pizza Hut and its main creative agency Droga5 have parted ways, AdAge reports. The pizza chain has launched a review for a new agency. It worked with Droga5 for about two years. The review comes as Pizza Hut begins a new multiyear sponsorship with the National Football League.  

Ally Financial has launched a review of its creative, media and digital assignments, with a twist: it’s paying finalists for their time and effort. The review kicked off earlier this month. A spokesperson for the financial services company confirmed the review and the fact that finalists will get some compensation for their efforts. “We are providing a stipend for agencies that participate in our review process and reach the final round,” the spokesperson replied in response to an email query. Ad Age reported the news first.

Soraa has appointed 3Headed Monster as the first-ever creative AOR for the designer lighting company’s newly launched consumer division, Soraa Home. The appointment followed a competitive review. 3HM’s first work will address home consumers by expounding on the brand's core differentiation—its products carry more natural lighting that mimics the sun. Soraa means sky in Japan's kanji writing system, used by company founder Shuji Nakamura, a Nobel Prize winner and a leader in developing modern day LED lighting. The agency’s first campaign will launch this spring via social and digital components. The review was overseen by Soraa Chief Product Officer T.J. …

Avrio Health has appointed Walrus its new agency of record for its Slow-Mag and Colace brands. The work was previously handled in-house.  Walrus will lead creative, media and packaging design for Slow-Mag. On Colace, the agency will oversee creative alongside the brand’s media partner Diray Media. Campaigns are now in development and will include TV, digital, social, mobile, print, packaging, and audio.  "I worked with Walrus on Emergen-C while at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare,” stated Carrie Chomiak, general manager at Avrio Health. “We are confident that Walrus’ digital acumen, in-house media capabilities, and unexpected creativity is exactly the formula we need to …

Branding agency Collins has been tapped by hair care company eSalon for a rebranding project, including new word mark and packaging.  As part of the rebrand eSalon restructured its product portfolio, for which Collins organized each line’s design to create functional distinctions and a “vibrant first impression,” per the agency.  The new design system provides a platform to better emotionally connect with customers through personalization, with each hair color product including the customer’s name on the packaging.  Collins has offices in New York and San Francisco. Clients include Equinox, Spotify, and Everlane.

BMW has appointed Goodby, Silverstein & Partners as its lead U.S. creative agency, the client has confirmed. The award followed a formal review. Adage.com, which broke the news, reports that finalists in the pitch included  Droga5, Wieden & Kennedy, Anomaly and Hill Holliday.

After first naming MDC Partners' Doner as creative AOR in 2012, Smithfield Foods is adding integrated marketing responsibilities across a larger portfolio that includes the flagship brand, Nathan’s Famous, Eckrich, and others. There was not a formal review. The Jacobs Agency previously handled traditional advertising. Oodle was handling digital and social. “Doner has become a trusted agency partner, one that has consistently pushed us strategically and creatively in pursuit of creating impact and engagement with consumers,” stated Tim Zimmer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Smithfield Foods’ Packaged Meats Division. “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with …

TBWA\Chiat\Day LA has been named global creative agency of record for immersive movie screen maker IMAX Corporation. The appointment followed a formal pitch. The agency’s brief includes strategic partnerships, global campaign development, design, digital and social strategy and content production.   IMAX reported total advertising and marketing expenses of nearly $27 million for 2016 according to its annual report for that year, the latest available. "IMAX signifies the ultimate movie-going experience. As we look to the future, we're more committed than ever to building on our legacy of innovation and disruption," stated JL Pomeroy, chief marketing officer at IMAX. "With …

Virginia’s “American Evolution” organization has hired Interpublic’s Jack Morton to create a series of events commemorating milestones that helped shape America’s early colonial period 400 years ago.  The events Jack Morton will produce are Global Emerging Leaders: The Pathfinders Summit, the International Forum on the Future of Representative Democracy and the Women’s Achieve Summit.   “Influential moments in history require an extraordinary experience to harness their meaning and bring them to life in a way which resonates today. We’re excited to be creating such an experience for this important program, ‘American Evolution’,” stated  Josh McCall, Chairman & CEO, Jack Morton.