Barkley recently merged with OKRP to form a large independent creative agency, BarkleyOKRP. The newly merged agency has now won its first significant account win under that moniker as the new agency of record for Applegate, a Hormel Foods brand of natural and organic meats.
The designation marks an expansion in the company’s relationship with Hormel Foods, as Barkley has led creative and strategic duties for its Justin’s brand since 2019. As AOR, BarkleyOKRP will continue to build upon Applegate’s leadership position and drive further relevance and differentiation for the brand.
“Applegate is an ideal client for us as the brand is driven by a set of values and operational practices that make a tremendous difference in our world and directly impact the well-being of its consumers, animals and our planet. We’re proud to support their incredible mission and look forward to all we will accomplish together,” said BarkleyOKRP chief growth officer Jason Parks in a statement.
Applegate’s mission of “Changing the Meat We Eat” comes from a core belief that the way food is raised can change and transform lives, from the farmer who grows it to the person who eats it. Applegate recently announced its goal to source 100% of the beef for its beef hot dogs from certified regenerative sources by the end of 2025, which will contribute to the regeneration of six million acres of grassland.
“We are thrilled to partner with BarkleyOKRP on a whole brand approach to telling the Applegate story to more people than ever before,” said Joseph Villiano, vice president of sales and marketing at Applegate in a statement.
BarkleyOKRP will launch initial campaign efforts for Applegate this summer.