Sales Lead: Siemens recently named Mediaplus as its lead global media AOR, effective immediately. The agency will handle media strategy, planning, and buying across all traditional and digital media except search. It will initially focus on developing an innovative, digital campaign setup. The agency is headquartered in Germany, but its work will affect Siemsn's US strategy. It seems as though MediaCom will continue as the company's lead US media agency, but it will likely work cl...

Sales Lead:  Kristin Harrer recently revealed details about the strategy shifts she's implemented since joining Vans as CMO last year. The company is working to "connect with a broader community" rather than solely focusing on reaching Gen-Z and millennials. Vans often works with Tony Hawk; the brand wants to reach everyday people as old as Hawk rather than just his younger skateboarder fans. Harrer mentioned that Gen-X boomers don't want to feel old, so it's working to empow...

Sales Lead: Jack Martin became the marketing and communications VP at the University of Washington (UW), effective December 2022. Martin joined the University in April 2015 as its senior strategic communications director. In the past, he has led key initiatives such as the "Yes, It's Possible" campaign, for which the University worked to raise awareness of financial aid opportunities. Martin also spearheaded the launch of UW Current, a monthly newsletter; led the "Be Boundles...

Sales Lead: Hain Celestial (HC) recently announced a leadership succession plan that will involve the appointment of a new president and CEO, Wendy P. Davidson, effective January 1, 2023. Davidson joined from Glanbia, where she served as the president of its Americas business. She brings deep sales and marketing expertise. Davidson will succeed Mark Schiller, who will continue to serve as president and CEO until Davidson steps into the role. Schiller has been HC's CEO since N...

Sales lead: This promotion will likely lead to spend shifts and agency appointments.  Newsela promoted Jason Ediger to CMO in December 2022.  Ediger joined the company as interim CMO and SVP of solution marketing & brand experience in July 2022.  Prior to that, he was the CMO of Discovery Education. Newsela's target demographic: K-12 school systems & educators  The company will likely:  Continue increasing ad spend Diversify ad placement  Outsource some marketing d...

Media Sales Lead: In its first foray into name, image, and likeness (NIL) marketing and AI imaging, Nerf launched new social content. The brand launched two social media holiday campaigns, one starring college athlete influencers and the other focused on an NBA All-Star and AI imaging technology. The first marked Nerf's first partnership with NCAA student-athletes. The second promotes Nerf's recently launched Elite 2.0 Motoblitz and Viper Strike blasters, which help turn 2D content into 3D en...

Sales Lead: Just after naming a new creative AOR, Planet Fitness (PF) launched a rebranded app complete with a redesigned digital experience that supports the fitness journeys of current and potential members. The new app also features a refreshed home screen, a redesigned "Member Perks" section, a bolstered "Workouts" section, and a new "My Journey" section. The app is part of PF's ongoing goal to get more people working out. To this end, the free version of the workout app is ...

Sales lead: Agency reviews tend to follow one another, so keep a close eye on this company. Allstate tapped Wieden + Kennedy creative AOR in December 2022. This replaces incumbent shop Droga5, which picked up the account in 2020.  The agency will start working on the account in 2023.  Allstate's target demographic: Gen-X & millennial men The company will likely: Release fresh creative work early next year Increase ad spend Review its other agency relationships ...

Sales lead: Reach out for more information and to offer assistance promoting the new brand.  American Eagle (AE) announced it will launch a new men's apparel sub-brand.  It will feature new and innovative options. It is set to launch in spring 2023.  Details are sparse, but we will be sure to update you as soon as more information becomes available.  AE's target demographic: Gen-Zers The company will likely: Seek agency assistance Launch a campaign to promote the...

Sales lead: Reach out to this company to offer relevant ad space and inquire about agency opportunities.  Urban Outfitters (UO) announced during its recent Q3 earnings report that it plans on increasing promotional activity and marketing spend.  The company hopes this will help it attract new customers and clear existing inventory.  UO plans on targeting younger consumers going forward as well.  The company also lost its president, Francis Pierrel, in December. Recent hires: ...