The American Cancer Society announced today that it has handed over creative duties to DDB Chicago, following a review. As Adweek points out, “Daniela Campari, svp of marketing at the American Cancer Society since July 2014, previously was head of marketing in the U.K. and Ireland for Wrigley, a global client of DDB’s” — a connection which may have helped the agency land the account, or at least get their foot in the door. DDB Chicago will succeed The Martin Agency, who has held creative duties for the American Cancer Society since taking over for T. G. Madison Advertising, Atlanta in 2008 and defended in the review. The American Cancer Society spends almost $30 million annually on measured media.
In a statement, Campari said she was “particularly impressed with how personally attached DDB Chicago was to the society’s mission throughout the process.”
“This is a cause that’s very personal for many of us, which makes us all the more passionate about working with such a worthy organization,” added Paul Gunning, CEO of DDB Chicago.
For DDB Chicago, the account win, along with the addition of Kohler to its roster in October, should help soften the blow from a series of staffing cuts in September. The agency’s first work for the brand is expected sometime in the first six months of 2015. Along with the agency’s Super Bowl spot for Skittles, the brand’s first, (which just received the teaser treatment) and the agency’s first work for Kohler set to break next month, it should be an exciting few months for the agency.