• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, October 23, 2013

Now here's what we call putting your advertising skills to work. Former Martin Agency Account Executive Daviece Clement plans to launch a campaign to find the man of her dreams. Clement will use the skills she learned at The Martin agency to craft a campaign that will include billboards, a website, social media and public relations. She'll even create business cards, drink coasters and a TV commercial. Hmm. Guess she has a lot of money saved up though she is seeking sponsors. Her proposed tagline is said to be something like, "Will you help Daviece find love?" Now, what's the first lesson they teach you in copywriting school? Never ask a question that could result in an answer you don't want. And that's all we have to say about that. 

Shocker!After five years, Levi's and Wieden + Kennedy have split. The decision is said to have been mutual though the usual "people familiar with the business" said there were creative differences. It’s unclear whether or not a new agency has been selected or if an agency review has been launched. Of the split, Levi's President James Curleigh said, "We would like to thank Wieden & Kennedy for their creative energy and engagement over the past five years. The team has supported us through a significant period in the Levi's brand evolution." W+K's most recent work centered on the "Go Forth" theme which aimed to spread a message of hope and optimism. 

Hey, Cannes isn't the only award show in town. You may or may not have heard of the Cresat Awards but Havas Worldwide would like as all to know it was just named “Network of the Year" by the organization. Which, when you think about it, is kind of cool since at Cannes, BBDO usually wins that category. In addition, Havas Worldwide London was awarded the Grand Prix in the Crafts Competition (art direction) for its client Credit Suisse entitled, "Metamorphosis." 

In West Coast Madison Avenue news (hey, come on, don't you know there's a Madison Avenue in every city now?) Santa Monica-based Kastner & Partners will relocate to Playa Vista, a sort of burgeoning advertising-like Dumbo of the West Coast. Deutsch, TBWA\Chiat\Day, OMD Worldwide, KDA Group, and 72andsunny have all relocated to the area which, unlike our preferred Dumbo West, is referred to as "ad agency row." Of course, Dumbo is all about tech so we guess "ad agency row," boring as that sounds will have to do. The agency has signed a 10-year, $6.5 million lease for 15,000 square feet. Kastner's claim to fame is its launch of Red Bull. 

SafeAuto Insurance Company has selected today’s Strangest Named Agency...uh...excuse us...Austin-based Greatest Common Factory to handle its advertising. Of the selection of GCF, SafeAuto VP of Customer Demand & Experience Charlie Kordes said, “Greatest Common Factory demonstrated the production capabilities and a creative approach that we were looking for in a creative partner that will lead SafeAuto into its next chapter of growth.” (In other words, we liked them best.) The brand plans to launch a new ad campaign early next year.

Lowe Campbell Ewald, in the news already this week for opening a post-merger New York office, is wasting no time announcing additional new client wins--it has landed the Tempe Arizona-based LifeLock account. The agency's LA office will manage brand strategy and creative for television. LifeLock CMO Seth Greenberg is pretty happy with the selection and said, "Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem. Our services can help a much broader consumer base, and Lowe Campbell Ewald has a proven track record of helping to evolve and transform other leading brands. We are very excited to partner with them strategically." (In other words, we liked them best).


Toronto-based digital agency Mill St. SEO has jumped on the inbound marketing bandwagon with the announcement of a new content marketing offering this week. The service aims to provide the ability for small and medium-sized businesses that need a stronger online presence and the capability to compete with larger brands in their space. The new content marketing service takes the form of a package - one that incorporates a mix of creative content (article marketing, blogging, social media), brand strategy, and measurement.