Accounts on the Move
Monday, October 5, 2015
  • Paddy Power
    WE ARE Pi
    Paddy Power named Amsterdam-based WE ARE Pi as its brand agency, following a pitch handled by the AAR. First work was to leverage the excitement around the Rugby World Cup, by creating Paddy Power's match predictor called "The Big Game Hunter." An American dentist with a high powered rifle is charged with predicting matches in a series of online films where he hunts national team's icons. If a country's icon goes down, the dentist predicts they will lose the game. At the end of each video, Paddy Power highlights specific match odds for the game. "WE ARE Pi is our kind of agency; creative, restless and non-conformists," said Gav Thompson, chief marketing officer of Paddy Power. "We went looking for a partner in mischief and they were the stand-out choice. Their ideas were clever and naughty in equal measure, and I am very excited about our future together."
  • California Lottery
    Olson
    Olson was named the first digital agency of record for the California Lottery. David & Goliath continues to server as CA Lottery's traditional AOR. The contract has an estimated value of up to $13.5 million over its five-year period. It also includes five one-year option periods, which have yet to be priced. Olson has a wealth of experience with lotto accounts, currently serving as agency of record for the Minnesota State Lottery and providing digital services to Ontario Lottery and Gaming and Atlantic Lottery. As digital AOR, Olson will revamp the lottery's website for desktop and mobile including creating the user experience strategy and design, mobile application redesign and social media development. "We pride ourselves for being purpose built for the new realities that matter to our clients, and we look forward to proving that by delivering great business results for the California Lottery," said Margaret Murphy, president of Olson. The California Lottery spent $30 million on measured media in 2014 and $12.5 million the first 6 months of 2015, according to Kantar Media.
  • Weebly
    Ocean Media
    Web-hosting service, Weebly, tapped Ocean Media to handle its television media buying. Weebly has a simple and affordable website creation tool that allows people to showcase their work and sell products online. Ocean Media will handle all media planning and buying for a national campaign with a focus on driving new user acquisition. Spots will air on cable networks like TBS, HGTV, CNN and Spike. "Weebly is a perfect fit for our agency and we look forward to helping take their business and their brand to the next level," said Jay Langan, president of Ocean Media. "With their unique website building features, the company is poised for continued growth." Weebly spent $4.1 million on measured media in 2014 and $4.7 million the first six months of 2015, according to Kantar Media. Additional Ocean Media clients include eHarmony, Priceline, LifeLock, Overstock.com, Realtor.com, Ancestry.com and Lending Tree, among others.
  • Pocky
    Santy
    Santy added Japanese snack food, Pocky to its client roster. The agency will handle social media, digital media, public relations, influencer marketing campaigns and creative chores. Santy will produce original content for the brand's social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in an effort to increase Pocky's audience and brand loyalty. Pocky is a Japanese snack food made of chocolate-coated biscuit sticks that come in a variety of flavors. "Santy did a great job discovering insights to better understand our audience through social listening and translating 'Kawaii' into U.S. culture," said Yoko Hosoya, marketing coordinator at Pocky. "I am so excited that Santy will make social media a wonderful experience for Pocky fans."
  • Jewish Family Service of San Diego
    J. Walcher Communications
    J. Walcher Communications has been hired by Jewish Family Service of San Diego to increase awareness about the nonprofit organization and its various services. The Jewish Family Service of San Diego's services are focused around three goals: empower individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency, support aging with dignity and foster community connection and engagement. "JWC's body of work and proven track record for results, especially within the nonprofit space, make the agency the perfect partner to enhance our marketing and communication efforts," said Michael Stern, director of marketing for JFS.