Sales lead: The company will likely ramp up ad spend throughout the NFL season.  State Farm (SF) just launched its 2023 NFL campaign It includes multiple spots featuring Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Tight End Travis Kelce.  The spots will be supported across broadcast, OLV, CTV, social, digital, and audio. We told you about SF's new agency partner, Highdive, in July.  Target demographic: Millennial male football fans  The company wil...

Sales lead: The acquisition may lead to spend & agency roster shifts.  Hostess Brands (HB) has been acquired by The J.M. Smucker Company. The deal is reportedly worth $5.6b, and HB's employees will join J.M. Smucker.  The transaction includes Hostess, Donettes, Twinkies, CupCakes, DingDongs, Zingers, CoffeeCakes, HoHos, Mini Muffins, Fruit Pies, and Voortman.  Target demographic: Millennial parents Now that it is under new ownership, the company will likely: Continue i...

Sales lead: Reach out now to offer ad space & agency assistance.  Zevia hired Kirsten Suarez as CMO, effective September 2023. Suarez is tasked with leading a brand refresh in addition to marketing and growth strategies.  She joins from Nick's, where she held the same title.  Target demographic: Gen-Zers & millennials seeking healthy beverages The company will likely: Return to 2021 spending levels Experiment with additional ad channels Build out its agency roster ...

Sales lead: Keep an eye on this company so that you are prepared to reach out once it hires a new CMO.  Bed Bath & Beyond (BB&B) lost its CMO, Angela Hsu, who stepped down in September 2023. President Dave Nelsen will handle marketing duties during the search.  This closely follows BB&B merging with Overstock, which resulted in a new company operating under the BB&B name. We will be sure to update you as soon as a replacement is announced.  Target demographic: Gen-X & millenn...

Sales Lead: Curaleaf recently debuted a new brand, Zero Proof. Curaleaf is, per Stash, the US's largest cannabis company by market cap. The new product rolled out in IL and will expand into additional markets within the next few weeks. Zero Proof delivers fast-acting alternatives to more well-known edibles; it allows users to feel the effects more quickly and customize their consumption to keep it moderate. This product was launched as younger consumers continue to seek alternativ...

Sales Lead: Verizon Wireless recently selected Ogilvy as its new lead consumer business agency partner. This shift replaces McCann, which picked up the account in 2015. Ogilvy picked up Verizon's B2B account in December 2022. The change will officially go into effect in 2024, but Ogilvy started working to evolve Verizon's creative approach and leveraging insights since last year. Ogilvy recently rolled out two campaigns for Verizon centering around its new myPlan service and N...

Sales Lead: In its latest ad campaign, Boost Mobile teamed up with artist JC Rivera, rapper Toosii, and skateboarder Samarria Brevard. Made by Highdive, the company highlights the ways in which artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs have succeeded despite various setbacks. The campaign rolled out across broadcast TV, social media, online, radio, OOH, and experiential activations in different communities. More work will launch within the coming weeks. The brand will likely: Pu...

Sales lead: Get in touch to help this company promote its new loyalty program.  Hanna Andersson (HA) just introduced its first-ever loyalty program.  Hanna Rewards offers discounts, rewards points, free shipping, and exclusive access to new products & sales.  We told you about HA's new digital resale platform in March.  Target demographic: Millennial moms  The company will likely: Continue increasing digital spend Launch an ad campaign to promote the loyalty program ...

Sales Lead: Xponential Fitness recently selected VaynerMedia as its global creative and media AOR, effective October 1, 2023. The agency's CEO, Gary Vaynerchuk, will lead all Xponential brands' marketing strategy. VaynerMedia will handle creative, strategic, and media services to fuel the next phase of Xponential's growth. The agency will initially lead the development and execution of an insights-driven, comprehensive marketing and content brand to fuel brand awareness, reach a wid...

Sales lead: This project will likely lead to higher ad spending & possibly agency reviews.  JCPenney (JCP) announced a $1b reinvestment plan to improve the customer experience and operations.  It will completely renovate about 100 stores while some will need only a light refresh.  JCP will also update its website and mobile app with new features such as an improved search function, product details, customized styling recommendations, and customer reviews,  Additional funds will go...