We’ve been hearing spies chirping about what’s happening with the Taco Bell creative account for the last few days, with names like Deutsch LA being thrown into the mix and so forth. Now, we have some clarification on the matter from none other than Draftfcb, which, like the Yum Brands chain’s chief marketing/innovation officer Bryan Niccol stated a few weeks, remains lead creative agency for Taco Bell. But what does the future hold? Here’s a statement from Draftfcb:
“We’re proud of our long-standing role as Taco Bell’s lead agency, the work we continue to produce, and the results we’re achieving together. As the lead agency, we sometimes proactively tap into and collaborate with other IPG units to provide Taco Bell with an even greater depth and breadth of resources; these include outstanding companies like Amusement Park, Martin Agency and Deutsch, as well as Weber-Shandwick on select creative projects.”
Before you hit the panic button or anything, isn’t Omnicom CEO John Wren emphasizing the same type of agency collaboration/coordination over at his holding company? Perhaps this is just the hot trend nowadays, who knows. Anyhow, we’ve reached out to Yum Brands as well for further comment/clarification. We’ll keep you posted if and when we hear anything.
Update: Taco Bell did respond and reiterates the fact that Draftfcb is its agency of record and that the brand is “very pleased with their work.” If you need us to hammer it home a third time, let us know.