Commentary

It's A Game of Musical Chairs Over at Arby's

Well this is no surprise. Marking his territory just one month after joining Arby's as CMO, Rob Lynch has launched an agency search. For the creative portion of the account, it's been a game of musical chairs over the past few years. BBDO had the account in 2010. Then in February 2012, newly appointed CMO Russ Klein handed the business to CP+B without a review. CP+B isn't commenting on whether or not it will participate in the review. We'd advise them to skip it. Those who are good at playing musical chairs, and Arby's seems to have it mastered, don't really think too highly of loyalty and just want the next available chair. Alas, perhaps a change will do the chain some good as franchisees were none too pleased with the brand's marketing direction under Klein, especially his yanking the account from BBDO and handing it to CP+B even though sales were on an upswing.


Zimmerman Advertising has announced a new AOR relationship with national retailer A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Inc., the agency's second account win this month. Zimmerman will handle all strategy, creative and integrated media planning and buying - including traditional, digital and social for A.C. Moore. Of hooking up with Zimmerman, A.C. Moore Chairman Pepe Piperno (awesome name!) said, "We are thrilled to partner up with one of the most dynamic advertising firms in the country. Since the first time our teams met, I was overwhelmed with their knowledge of their trade and their dedication." Now that's love at first sight!

Digital firm Terralever and advertising and public relations agency E.B. Lane, both based in Arizona, have announced the two organizations have merged, creating a new marketing agency called LaneTerralever. Beau Lane will serve as CEO of the new agency and Terralever founder, Chris Johnson, will lead the agency as President. E.B. Lane president Todd Bresnahan will become Chief Operating Officer of LaneTerralever. Of the merger, Lane said, "As an agency that has thrived the past 52 years, we recognize the importance of being progressive and being in a solid position to respond to market trends and the needs of our clients. Merging with a digital marketing leader such as Terralever is a transformational, bullish move that brings to our clients and to this region, the absolute best-in-class of all forms of marketing communications." Transformational and bullish. Watch out, Arizona. There's a new tiger in town.

We love a bit of philanthropy in a business so filled with enormous, self-righteous egos. 
So it's our pleasure to tell you Nashville-based redpepper has announced their participation in  CreateAthon 2013, a 24-hour, marketing blitz during which creative agencies, professional organizations, and universities provide pro-bono marketing services to under-funded local non-profits. This is redpepper’s seventh year participating in the national event, and thus far the company has contributed more than $650,000 in work to various non-profits through the program. Of the agency's participation, redpepper Founder and CD Tim McMullen said, “It’s caffeine-fueled insanity. And I couldn’t think of a more fulfilling way to give back to our community. We pull an all-nighter to create anything from brand identity packages and social media plans to videos and t-shirt designs for underdog nonprofits so that they can continue to tell their story effectively and serve more people in need.“ Rock on, redpepper!

Hopping on Martin Sorrell's latest bandwagon, WPP's Grey has hired former Momentum Worldwide SVP of Shopper Marketing Joe Lampertius as CEO of Grey's shopper marketing practice. Lampertius will be charged with tying together Grey's various shopper marketing offerings with a focus on the agency's biggest client, Procter & Gamble. Of the growing trend towards agencies offering shopper marketing services, Lampertius said, “If you’re looking at the shopper marketing industry today only 20 percent of the agencies are doing it; 80 percent are doing customer marketing, Everyone is rebranding themselves as shopper marketing but you have to bring a more sophisticated understanding. It’s more than just coming up with the latest sweepstakes, door hangers and displays.” Indeed it is, Joe.


Welcome to the Big Apple, Lopez Negrete! No, we're not welcoming our long lost uncle for a visit. We're welcoming Houston-based Hispanic agency Lopez Negrete to Manhattan where they will set up shop on 3rd Avenue at 47th. While many agencies have tried and failed to make it in New York, we'd like to hope Lopez Negrete can make a go of it. Of the move, CEO and President Alex Lopez Negrete said, ”Connectedness to our clients and our community has always been the hallmark of our agency. It is also a game of scale and access. By having full-service offices on each coast, our organization has the ability and resources to deliver with unmatched depth, speed, innovation and efficiency that provide a very tangible advantage for both clients and consumers, both of which are now working and communicating in a real-time environment.”

advertisement

advertisement

>
Next story loading loading..