ILLINOIS
Chicago Creative Partnership was tapped to handle advertising work for Medela, McHenry, a manufacturer of breast pumps and breast-feeding-related products. The company said it hired CCP to develop new strategic communications.
Personal Communications tapped DiMeo & Co., Chicago, to handled all of its advertising for point-of-purchase and direct marketing campaigns in the Midwest. PrimeCo selected DiMeo after working with the agency on several projects last year. Budget on the new assignment was estimated at $1 million.
United Stationers Supply, The Order People hired LKH&S, Chicago, to assist in launching its brand and developing programs. The Order People offers outsourcing for businesses nationwide. With no official launch date set, LKH&S has started work on creative aspects of the The Order People's marketing campaign.
Abelson-Taylor, a medical advertising shop in Chicago, has been tapped to promote Biogen's product Avonex, a drug to treat multiple sclerosis.
Lipson Alport Glass & Associates, Chicago, completed its management buy-back of its firm from Ha-Lo Industries. Partnering with Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, a private equity firm, LAGA is recreating its stand-alone brand marketing and design consultancy company.
Rhea & Kaiser in Naperville has opened an office in Durham, N.C.
INDIANA
Jayco named TaigMartin lead agency for its motor home operations. The Elkhart-based shop will create a marketing communications strategy for all Jayco motor homes and the company's new Class A brands.
KANSAS
Sullivan Higdon & Sink was selected as the agency for BBA Aviation North America and its associated operating companies Signature Flight Support and Dallas Airmotive. The Wichita shop was tapped based on its broad aviation experience, strong creative and brand-building expertise, according to BBA's vice president of marketing Gary Boekenskamp.
MICHIGAN
Ardesta Media, Ann Arbor, was renamed Small Times Media to market the media company to the small technology and microsystems industries.
Credit Union ONE appointed Stone & Simons Advertising lead agency. The Ferndale company selected the Southfield agency for advertising aimed at building brand awareness following a review that included several undisclosed shops.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Miami Valley Co-op, an organization of 16 KFC franchises and 34 restaurants in the Dayton area, named Alan Frank & Associates lead agency. The Bloomfield Hills agency has a relationship with KFC that goes back more than four decades to Colonel Sanders' first franchisee, who remains a client.
MINNESOTA
The Professional Golfers' Association of America hired Colle + McVoy, Minneapolis, to handle public relations for the 2002 PGA Championship to be held in August 2002 at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska.
Geoffrey Carlson Gage, an Excelsior-based agency specializing in advertising and Web development services, was named lead agency for Mankato-based Anlon Systems.
Periscope, Minneapolis, won a five-year contract with Metro Transit, and it was named lead agency of Fairview Health Services following a review. The agency will handle planning and development for Metro Transit's annual ridership campaign. It will create branding and advertising for Fairview.
New clients at Risdall Linnihan Advertising in New Brighton include Asopos Valley Olive Oil, the Lutheran Brotherhood, WeMentor, Community Channel.com, and Enviro Scrub.
Yamomoto Moss in Minneapolis will be working on packaging design for Activision Value Publishing. Both firms are in Minneapolis. Activision develops interactive entertainment software.
MISSOURI
Bishop Wines & Spirits, Mira Loma, Calif., selected Adamson as its sales pro-motion/advertising agency for Bafferts Gin, a new ultra-premium gin. The St. Louis shop will launch a national campaign for the brand aimed at vodka martini drinkers.
NEBRASKA
Brio Advertising in Livonia was hired by the technology solutions group of Plante & Moran to develop ad strategies for the group's clients. Plante & Moran is a management consultancy located in Michigan.
OHIO
Northlich, Cincinnati, signed contracts with two new clients Swapalease.com and ACH Foods. Swapalease.com retained Northlich for its public relations unit to help lead the company's expansion into new markets.
Innis Maggiore Group, Canton, has been hired by Beggs Motor Homes, Uniontown, to provide a range of advertising and public relations services. Beggs is a recreational vehicle dealership.
Holland Communications has merged with MacConnell Marketing, both based in Cincinnati. MacConnell was formed in 1920 and Holland in 1937. The full-service agency is named Holland Communications and will be led by three equal partners: Bryan Holland, Brian MacConnell and Mark Holland.
PENNSYLVANIA
Blattner Brunner was named lead agency for Promistar Financial Corp. without a review. The Johnstown banking company chose the agency based on its creative capabilities and its experience with client Sky Bank in Salineville, Ohio.
WISCONSIN
Malcolm Marketing Communications, Madision, is now lead agency for Stardust Corp., a Midwest wholesale distributor of wearables for the promotional products and imprinted sportswear industry and lead agency for Paul Revere's Pizza. Malcolm's first initiative will involve redesigning Stardust's color catalog. The agency will create a branding campaign for the pizza franchise chain.
Zizzo Group Advertising has merged with Northern Sky Productions, both based in Milwaukee. Eric McDonald, president and owner of Northern Sky, will join Zizzo Group as senior creative director. The merged company will operate as Zizzo Group.
Planet Propaganda is launching Polaris Industries' newest brand Pure Polaris. The Madison shop was selected to unify and market Polaris's parts, apparel and accessories division for future growth. Polaris is based in Medina, Minn.