Advertising Age - Agency News

DraftFCB Wins SeaWorld Account

Mediabrands Spinoff Network Will Be Called BPN

Plans for a third agency network at Mediabrands are finally firming up. The new unit will sit under the Orion Trading Unit and handle conflict business.

Sprite Taps Johannes Leonardo for Global Duties

Coca-Cola continues to adjust the agencies working on its Sprite brand, selecting Johannes Leonardo to lead Sprite creative globally.

PepsiCo Taps Weber Shandwick for Diet Pepsi PR
"We liked the thinking and creativity and approach Weber had taken with the Pepsi Next launch so we asked them to do some thinking on Diet Pepsi," said a Pepsi spokeswoman.

Lee Doyle Joins Mindshare, Stays in Group M Family

Nearly eight months after stepping down as North America CEO of WPP's MEC, Lee Doyle has joined sibling agency Mindshare in the newly created role of president-client development in North America.

People on the Move: Gill Duff Named President-CEO of BBDO, Atlanta

Also on the move this week are David White, Kimberly Lau, Deborah J. Mignucci, Michael Alex and the management team at Chick-fil-A.

'Working Not Working,' a New Way to Discover (and Hire) Freelance Creatives

A new site is trying to take the guesswork out of freelancing -- for both independent professionals and the agencies that hire them.

University of Phoenix Chooses Arnold As Lead Creative Shop After Review
It's the third new piece of business in a matter of weeks for the Havas agency.

Bel Brands Puts Creative Account Into Review

Chicago-based marketer is looking primarily at shops there. DDB was invited but chose not to participate in the review.

Mark Modesto Joins Ryan Partnership as CEO

He's leaving Marc USA to join the shopper-marketing agency. John Immesoete is also leaving Marc to join Ryan as chief creative officer.

On Heels of Bank of America Loss, BBDO Wins HP Creative

Agency was already on HP's roster, handling corporate, and printing and imaging work.

Agencies Going After Accenture, Deloitte IT
Consultants have designed IT solutions for global marketers, and agencies are responding by building out IT of their own.

Little Caesars Taps BFG 9000 for National Creative

The hire marks the pizza chain's return to national advertising with an agency of record, after several years of working with different agencies for local advertising.

DirecTV Marketer Heads to Amalgamated

Michael Stefanski has about 15 years' experience on both the agency and client side.

Spark Wins Orbitz Media Account
Orbitz has hired Publicis Groupe's Spark as its new media agency partner, furthering parent Starcom MediaVest Group's ambition to grow the agency into a viable third network.

U.K. 'Shareholder Spring' Revolt May Target Martin Sorrell

A movement against high executive compensation dubbed "shareholder spring" is sweeping the U.K. a month before WPP Group seeks a large raise for Chief Executive Martin Sorrell.

Target Out Talking to Media Agencies

Target has sent an RFI to a number of media agencies, Ad Age has learned.

People on the Move: Skechers' Leonard Armato to Head Up Leverage Agency

The sports and entertainment-marketing firm has tapped the Skechers CMO to open and oversee a Los Angeles office.

ANA: Two-Thirds of Global Marketers to Change Agency Compensation
Compensation and performance incentives were debated at the Association of National Advertisers' Financial Management Conference.

Jockey Tells ANA Its 'Accountable Comp' Agency Model Works

Jockey is known for its briefs, so it's rather fitting that the brief it gave to ad agencies during a review process last year was an unusual one.

DiGennaro Communications Gets Its Justin Bieber On

A typical workday at a B2B public-relations firm isn't what it used to be, based on this video.

Arnold Taps Aaron Griffiths as Co-Chief Creative Officer in New York

In wake of steady growth, the agency has chosen the former TBWA/Chiat/Day creative director to partner with current chief creative John Staffen.

Interpublic Group Files Motion to Dismiss $50 Million Discrimination Suit
Interpublic Group of Cos. responded late Tuesday to the race-discrimination suit filed in April by a Trinidadian employee who is seeking $50 million in damages.

Marketers Still Baffled, Suspicious of Agency Trading Desks
Some marketers see trading desks as "double dipping," as clients pay agencies to manage media, and then pay agency trading desks a margin to buy it.

Who's to Blame When an Ad Incites Anger?

Launching a campaign is like launching a nuclear missile: both the agency and the client have to turn their key. So when a campaign goes awry, such as Ashton Kutcher's recent "brownface" Popchips ad, it's unfair for the client to implicate the agency.

Jamie Barrett Departs Goodby Silverstein & Partners
After a decade at the Omnicom Group shop, Mr. Barrett, partner and executive creative director, is leaving to strike out on his own.

Mike Parker Leaves Tribal DDB for McCann

Tribal DDB U.S. co-president Mike Parker will become chief digital innovation officer at McCann Erickson North America.

AmEx Conducts Creative Agency Search for 'Open' Business
American Express is reaching out to creative shops for ideas on Open, which provides credit cards and other services for small businesses, according to executives familiar with the matter.

PR Shop MWW Launches Entertainment Venture With Music Vet Kevin Liles

'The mandate to bring together brands and pop culture has never been greater.'

Organic Named Digital Agency of Record for PepsiCo's Quaker Brands

"Organic was selected because of their high-level strategic thought leadership ... their passion for social media as an integral part of planning, not an afterthought," the marketer said.