by Larissa Faw on Oct 30, 2:35 PM
Unison Home Ownership Investors is appointing Cutwater as creative agency of record following a formal review. Both are based in San Francisco. This partnership follows the financial provider's June issue of $40 million in Series B financing led by F-Prime Capital and joined by Citi Ventures and Royal Bank of Canada. As AOR, Cutwater will work under the direction of Unison’s marketing team, led by newly appointed chief marketing officer, Cari Jacobs to raise consumer awareness as a challenger brand. The company provides capital to individuals to purchase homes in 22 states and Washington, D.C.
by Steve McClellan on Oct 28, 6:38 PM
Minneapolis-based hair cut chain Great Clips Inc. has launched a media agency review, the company has confirmed. Estimated annual ad spend is $50 million. The incumbent, Periscope, has opted not to defend. Confirming the review, a company spokeswoman issued a statement: “Great Clips Inc. has launched a media review to support our growth strategy. We expect to have a media partner selected before the end of the year. The process, managed by Ark Advisors, is already far along and is now closed to new agencies.” The company generated $1.4 billion in revenue last year and has projected 7% growth for …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 24, 5:28 PM
Mongolian Concepts is appointing T3 as the restaurant operator's new agency partner to overhaul Genghis Grill's web design. The Austin-based agency will leverage its “Restaurant Accelerator” platform that combines design and technology to develop a mobile-first structure to create a branded online ordering and loyalty offering for the client. Mongolian Concepts can then replicate this formula across its other restaurant brands, including bd's Mongolian Grill and Flat Top Grill. T3's Accelerator platform is credited with helping the agency develop quite a niche with the restaurant industry. Now, there are 16 QSR clients on its roster, including Pizza Hut, Cinnabon, Auntie …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 23, 1:20 PM
Tecovas is appointing Greatest Common Factory as the cowboy boot maker's marketing AOR following a formal review. The remit calls for a complete overhaul of the brand message from advertising and website to brochures and PR. Three years ago Tecovas launched as a direct-to-consumer brand by highlighting its quality boots at reasonable prices. Now, as the brand has expanded its product line to add more boot styles along with clothing and accessories in Western styles, Tecovas seeks to reposition itself by embracing "an independent streak and cowboy spirit," says John Trahar, co-founder/creative lead, Greatest Common Factory. "Tecovas is about far …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 22, 4:38 PM
Crunch Fitness is naming StrawberryFrog as its new AOR after an informal review. “Our philosophy of ‘No Judgments’ and emphasis on fun aligned perfectly with the culture and talent of StrawberryFrog and we are excited to work with them on this new venture," says Chad Waetzig, EVP of Marketing and Branding at Crunch.The fitness club spent $1.16 million on advertising in 2017 and $666,000 during the first six months of 2018, according to Kantar Media. Strawberry's creative direction will be "focused on helping America join the fun," says Scott Goodson, CEO, …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 18, 11:09 AM
GSK Consumer Healthcare is awarding the global Panadol account to a dedicated WPP shop led by Grey Group Singapore’s Konstantin Popovic. In addition to Grey the new unit will tap resources from Geometry, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy CommonHealth and Wunderman. The remit for the over-the-counter pain reliever encompasses developing integrated creative campaigns and content across advertising, digital, shopper and expert marketing, PR and communications. "We were particularly impressed by the potential of the one holding company model to cut out complexity, drive efficiency and deliver the best for the brand," says Michael Duffy, global business lead, Panadol, GSK Consumer Healthcare. …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 17, 9:42 AM
Atlantis, Paradise Island resort is hiring Saatchi New York as the Bahamas resort's new AOR responsible for advertising and communications efforts. This partnership follows the summer launch of a print and digital campaign for the resort’s luxury property, The Cove. The campaign attempted to convey the island's culture, including the Bahamian spirit and key personalities found at the Paradise Island resort. The selection occurred without a review. Previously these duties were handled internally. However the award follows an unusual backstory where the resort named enso as its AOR in March 2017 to reimagine the resort's …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 16, 1:04 PM
English Muffin maker Thomas’ has selected Mono as its new creative AOR following a formal review. The incumbent was TPN. The remit includes Thomas' English Muffins, Bagels and Swirl breads with the aim of engaging core customers of the 138-year-old brand while driving awareness among new purchasers with different food values and needs. The first creative under this partnership will launch early next year, with a likely focus on social and digital, including online video and possibly OOH and TV as well. Parent company Bimbo Bakeries has spent $11.15 million on advertising during the first …
by Larissa Faw on Oct 15, 10:29 AM
Teradata has appointed Berkley, CA-based John McNeil Studio (JMS) as brand and marketing AOR for the data intelligence company following an informal review. Teradata's CMO Martyn Etherington approached JMS based on the brand transformation work that the shop did for systems software maker CA Technologies. The assignment includes brand strategy and creative across all customer touchpoints, including social, kicking off with a redesigned brand identity platform and the launch of a broad awareness campaign. Just Media handles Teradata's media duties. The new messaging uses imagery to reference what the company calls data’s unwieldy reputation to convey how Teradata can leverage …
by Steve McClellan on Oct 12, 9:44 AM
Discover Puerto Rico has selected two agencies with strong tourism marketing bonafides to help shape the U.S. territory’s comeback as a premiere travel destination a year after the island suffered severe damage from Hurricane Maria. Miles Partnership has been appointed to lead brand positioning, website development and digital media strategy, and Beautiful Destinations has been tapped to lead creative strategy, content creation and distribution. “We’re excited about this powerhouse marriage of two of the strongest tourism marketing agencies, joining together in an unprecedented partnership to take Puerto Rico to the next level,” stated Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. …