Utah-based brand 1-800 Contacts has tapped indie San Francisco shop Duncan/Channon as its new advertising agency of record. You might know D/C as the agency behind the recent Esurance and StubHub ads. Anyhow, 1-800 Contacts is said to have chosen its new AOR after a “comprehensive selection process.” Before picking Duncan/Channon, the brand had been handling advertising efforts internally for some time.
In a statement regarding her company’s decision, 1-800 Contacts’ CMO Joan Blackwood says, “We met with a number of great agencies from around the country and ultimately selected Duncan/Channon based on the smart, original, effective work we saw and the unique connection we made with their team. The agency’s track record of helping venerable brands like Hard Rock, Esurance and StubHub effectively reposition for the future was exactly what we were looking for.”
Along with the usual AOR responsibilities of leading strategic branding and creative efforts for 1-800 Contacts, Duncan/Channon will help the company launch its recently announced Glasses.com brand. According to Nielsen figures, 1-800 Contacts spent nearly $40 million across all media in 2010.