• by Amy Corr  @MediaPostOTL, June 2, 2014

Following a review, Ball Horticultural Company, a producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants, hired Upshot as agency of record on its two consumer brands: Wave (Petunias and Pansies) and Burpee Home Gardens (Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers). The Chicago-based agency was tasked to help create demand for the brands through brand strategy, creative development and execution, digital initiatives, retail marketing and media planning and buying. Upshot will partner with Zapwater for public relations work. "We're excited to work with Ball Horticultural," said Brian Kristofek, President & CEO of Upshot. "People of all ages have passion for this category and they look to the Burpee Home Garden and Wave Petunia brands for their inspiration. It's the perfect combination to fuel conversations across the entire marketing mix." Media spend for Wave pansies and petunias has increased from 2102 to 2013, according to Kantar Media. Wave spent $304,000 on its pansies brand in 2013, up from $151,000 in 2012. The company spent $263,000 on its line of petunias up from $114,000 in 2012.