Ad Agency

The 4A’s unveiled a unique, far-ranging program aimed at creating safe and productive work environments that create cultures of inclusion, equity, creative dialogue and social transformation. The intent is to support agencies in eliminating discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and retaliation.

To address leaner advertising budgets and make smaller healthcare brands more competitive, Marcos M. Sanchez – a veteran healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing and advertising executive – announced the launch of Princeton10, a marketing and advertising agency expressly focused on Rx brands seeking to drive HCP-patient demand.

The modern CMO knows that data should be at the center of every marketing strategy, and is eager to leverage any consumer information they can get. But despite the Big Data trend, an unfortunate paradox for multicultural segments has emerged. While there is increased access to consumer information, there’s actually less quality analysis around multicultural business opportunities due to reduced in-house capabilities at the client level. Starting today, ALMA offers a solution for its roster with the launch of a Marketing Science and Analytics Department – a discipline dedicated to providing smart market analysis for stronger decision making.

The 4A’s issued a Fair Play Charter to its members, asking media agencies, and media departments within agencies, to recommit to fair and equitable treatment of minority media owners.

Spark Foundry announced that it has been awarded the online and offline media buying business of broadcast network Telemundo and cable channel Universo, top brands of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

In this role, Xavier Turpin will lead multicultural strategy for Gravity’s clients

Account managers were giants of accountability during the Mad Men era, when agencies were paid by media commissions and it was important to convince client executives, up and down the line, that high media spending was good for brands.  Everyone benefited from this.  TV advertising was effective, so clients and brands benefited from this account management salesmanship.  TV advertising unleashed the agency’s creative capabilities and allowed creatives to flourish and do their best work.  Senior account people sold the agency’s creative ideas to their clients, acting as intermediaries (for better or worse), solidifying account executives’ credibility in the eyes of their clients.  Although there were plenty of turf wars between the “suits” and the “creatives,” the overall process assured a high degree of unity, purpose and intimacy with clients.  Finally, and not insignificantly, agencies made a lot of money — much more than they earn today.  By Michael Farmer

Miami based the community has been assigned AOR responsibilities for Domino’s.  The agency will handle 360-degree efforts in the mainstream and US Hispanic markets.

Being a simple chap, I like to divide the bulk of the media agency world up into planners and buyers.  I know everyone has far smarter and possibly more accurately descriptive job titles these days, but fundamentally you’re either a “hot” buyer (driven by the deal) or a “cool” planner (driven by the data).  By Brian Jacob

The 4A’s asked industry-leading agency search consultants to provide “One Piece of Advice” that the association could share with members as they begin thinking about their 2018 new business plans.

FCB International President Sébastien Desclée announced the creation of the FCB&FiRe network: the result of a new alliance between FCB and FiRe Advertainment.

The recent outcry about headline speakers at CES ignited another round of debate and discussion about our industry’s diversity/gender equality issues. Yes, it would have been better had there been a more diverse slate of CES presenters. And all conference and event planners — including the ANA — need to ensure that we practice what we preach. I know we don’t always get it right, so we need to do a better job to create agendas inspired by a diverse slate of speakers.  By Bob Liodice, CEO, ANA

Expect the trend of marketers expanding and/or launching in-house agencies to continue in 2018. If the Ad Age 2017 Marketer of the Year does its creative in-house, that’s certainly a model that should be considered for many others.  By Bill Duggan, Group EVP, ANA

A survey of senior ad buyers worldwide reveals a range of issues many have when it comes to programmatic advertising.

GALLEGOS United announced it has hired Dino Spadavecchia as executive creative director. Spadavecchia will oversee development and execution of creative concepts for all clients.

In the 2018 RSW/US New Year Outlook Report, it unearthed a significant shift in the market that might have bigger, full service shops a bit concerned.  Today, more so than years past, marketers are looking to fill voids left by specialty agency talent in their roster shops at what could be considered an alarming pace.

Republica announced today that it has been selected as the global strategic agency for Azamara Club Cruises, a ​subsidiary ​of ​Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. As part of the assignment, Republica will lead myriad initiatives encompassing strategy, creative, media, digital, and social for the project launching Azamara’s new ship, the Azamara Pursuit.

Available for download.

This webinar reviewed the relevant laws and definitions governing workplace discrimination and harassment, clarified the obligations of management and supervisors, reviewed case studies, and discussed how these laws and obligations intersect in the context of a creative work environment.

Agencies are filled with smart, funny, creative and extremely talented people. When given a boundary-pushing brief that challenges them, they will rise to the occasion, and then some.  by Maarten Albarda