• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, November 13, 2013

Chicago-based Spark Communications has hauled in a pair of new business wins after separate reviews according to sources.  Duke Energy has selected the agency for all media planning and buying duties (including digital) after a consolidation review. Separately, European Wax Centers awarded the shop media chores also after a review.

Duke Energy spent about $13 million on measured media in 2012 according to Nielsen but during the review process the company told contenders it was ramping up its marketing budget and anticipated spending approximately $30 million on ads annually going forward.

EWC is also boosting promotion efforts according to sources involved in its review. The hair-removal franchise spent about $2.5 million on measured media over the past year while it plans to spend about $10 million over the year ahead.

Spark didn’t return calls seeking comment on the wins. A Duke Energy rep said it didn’t comment on rumors and speculation and EWC officials couldn’t be immediately reached.

Up to now Duke has used several shops to handle media chores including The Martin Agency, which is said to have participated in the review. The incumbent on EWC was Pohmedia based in Sunrise, FL.

Charlotte, NC-based Duke Energy bills itself as the largest electric power holding company in the U.S., delivering energy to 7.2 million customers. It reported 2012 operating revenues of $19.6 billion.

Aventura, FL-based EWC posted revenues of $12.5 million in 2012 according to Inc. magazine, with three-year revenue growth of more than 200%. It operates about 525 retail outlets across the U.S.

The wins are the latest in a string of new business assignments for Spark. Sources said the shop, part of the Starcom MediaVest Group, has notched more than 15 pieces of new business this year with expenditures totaling $800 million, including the $300 million-plus AbbVie pharmaceutical assignment and the $45 million Ace Hardware account.