Crown Media Family Networks has appointed Noble People as its media AOR following a competitive review that began in January. The incumbent agency was Zenith.  The New York-based Noble People will oversee strategic media planning and buying for the company’s linear networks, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries including national print, video, radio, digital, social and out-of-home advertising. In addition, the agency will also help raise the profile of Crown Media’s recently-launched subscription video on demand service, Hallmark Movies Now, to serve as a destination for Hallmark’s unique brand of entertainment. Crown Media's ad budget was $10.44 million in …

The Dalton Agency is appointed agency of record for the Pace Center for Girls, a Florida-wide non-profit that provides at-risk young girls with education and job training skills. There was no previous AOR. The agency will work with Pace to rebrand the organization to increase awareness and engagement and refine its fundraising goals.  First up, the agency will build the "strategic foundation" for the brand, as well as brand positioning and develop an integrated marketing plan, which is slated to include advertising, social, and PR.   

Mashantucket, CT-based Foxwoods Resort Casino has named Red Square as its creative agency of record following a competitive review. Red Square, with offices in Chicago and Mobile, AL will be responsible for creative development and execution for Foxwoods across all media. “Red Square has a reputation as a strong partner delivering great results,” stated Suzanne Trout, the casino's chief marketing officer. “As a brand with a rich heritage, we are confident that partnering with Red Square will continue to take us to new heights.” In addition to the day-to-day advertising, direct marketing, digital marketing, outdoor and onsite creative, Red Square …

French luxury goods company LVMH has called a review of its media agency assignment for North America. The company spends nearly $400 million on measured media in the U.S. according to Kantar Media. Havas Media has held the assignment since winning it in 2009. The client markets such brands as Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, Bulgari, TAG Heuer and Marc Jacobs. Adweek had the news first.  

Volkswagen is conducting a global creative review, the company has confirmed. The German auto giant intends to use the review to cut both advertising expense and the number of agencies on its worldwide roster. Roster shops include Interpublic’s Deutsch and BBDO. Jochen Sengpiehl, global chief marketing officer for VW’s flagship brand told Adage.com in an interview earlier this week that the company intended to reach out to the major holding companies but also smaller independents as well. He said he hopes to create a new working model where selected agencies will work out of a single creative hub. The …

Telecom provider Frontier Communications Corp. has selected Interpublic’s Hill Holliday and its media arm, Trilia, as its new advertising and media agencies of record. The selection follows a competitive pitch that lasted several months. Frontier spent $16.1 million on measured media in the U.S. last year, down from $25.6 million in 2016 according to Kantar Media. The client indicated that Hill Holliday and Trilia will oversee creative and media assignments across multiple touchpoints including creative development, media planning and buying, online and offline creative development, customer experience, and analytics.  “With Hill Holliday, we selected an agile team who understands the complex …

Emerald Health Therapeutics has appointed DDB Canada as its first AOR following a competitive review involving 12 agencies from Vancouver and Toronto. DDB Canada Vancouver and its specialist units —Twice, TRACKDDB, DDB Public Relations, TracyLocke Canada and Tribal Worldwide — will launch various brand initiatives both domestically and globally to raise awareness for the producer and distributor of medical cannabis.  DDB Canada plans to serve as a "brand steward" as the company scales its offerings to meet the demand for a new, legalized recreational cannabis market, following adult-use legalization across Canada slated for summer 2018. "We look forward to working hand-in-hand …

Interpublic agency Deutsch and Starco Brands have formed a partnership that includes a “significant” shareholder stake in the company for Deutsch which also becomes the firm’s marketing agency of record.  Last year, with Deutsch’s help, Starco launched its Breathe line of environment-friendly household cleaning products.  Deutsch will execute integrated marketing campaigns for Starco Brands’ roster of products—for existing brands and new product launches--from concept and ideation to production and execution, devoting resources for strategy, research, package design, creative, media planning and production.  “Deutsch is one of the top creative agencies in the world, and brings Starco Brands a wealth of …

International retail chain Primark has appointed New York-based The Bait Shoppe as its AOR as the European retail chain expands to more cities in North America. The scope of responsibilities will include developing and executing the brand's marketing activities across all channels, including in-store, online, mobile, out-of-home media and experiential activations. The first project under this new partnership will promote Primark's new store opening in Brooklyn, New York this summer. This activation strategy is new to the fashion retailer which will attempt to bring its well-known in-store experience outside of the store and to the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan.  …

W. L. Gore & Associates (of Gore-Tex fabric fame), has appointed Dentsu Aegis Network as its global media agency for its fabric division. The appointment follows a formal review led by Flock Associates.  According to the agency it will focus on advancing Gore-Tex’s relationship with consumers by connecting with them via passion points.  Dentsu Aegis Network agencies including Gravity, Carat and Amnet will work with Gore-Tex across the Americas, Europe and APAC.  Gore Fabrics Division’s Sascha Welters, stated: “We are happy to extend our relationship with DAN into a Global partnership that will help us to transform Gore´s standard of innovation …