As we collectively ease back into work and the beginning of the fall season, we’re back with some top highlights from this week in advertising.
AKA NYC
AKA NYC was named the full-service advertising agency of record for The New York Botanical Garden. AKA will lead full-service media planning and buying, while also driving attendance to the garden’s major exhibitions.
Boson Protocol
Web3 commerce layer Boson Protoco is partnering with Alterrage, a DAO-led fashion label leveraging blockchain technology, to create interoperable collections across physical, augmented and digital spaces. The partnership will see Alterrage open a phygital Web3 store where buyers will be able to purchase the unique collection.
Crossmedia
Etihad Airways renewed Crossmedia’s status as its global media agency of record. Crossmedia will continue to lead the airline and travel company in the modernizing of its marketing communications through digital services, business intelligence, global coordination and account management.
Dept
Award-winning digital product studio Two Bulls is joining high-growth digital agency Dept. Two Bulls brings clients including Verizon, Hasbro and MailChimp, as well as expertise in complex problem solving through digital solutions, innovative engineering, creative perspective and thoughtful design.
Havas Media Group
Havas Media Group announced that Wolverine Worldwide, one of the world’s leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, athletic footwear and apparel, has named HMG as its global media agency partner—following a four-month competitive review. The global scope of Wolverine Worldwide’s engagement with HMG includes all regions and brands internationally, with a high focus on the U.S., EMEA, and Canada.
Quiet Storm
Creative agency Quiet Storm is now certified as a B Corp, joining a pioneering group of U.K. advertising agencies doing the same. The certification speaks to Quiet Storm’s commitment to combatting its industry’s diversity and inclusion issues—and promoting greater accountability and transparency for all agencies.
Raindrop
Jacques Spitzer, founder and CEO of creative marketing agency Raindrop, has launched his new podcast, titled Marketing People Love. The podcast will feature conversations between Spitzer and top marketers, including CMOs and CEOs from brands like The North Face, ClickUp, Fresh Clean Tees, Dr. Squatch, Manscaped and more, with the goal of diving into what makes certain creative marketing material popular amongst industry professionals and consumers. The debut episode launches with guest Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge.
Said Differently
Falfurrias Capital Partners has made a platform investment in Said Differently, a global marketing agency that assembles integrated teams of specialists strategically sourced to meet and exceed specific client goals. Terms were not disclosed. It’s the first investment by the Charlotte-based private equity firm in support of its “Future of Work” thesis, which aims to identify and grow companies poised to capitalize on dramatic changes taking place in how work gets done. As part of the investment, Falfurrias’ Alexander Jutkowitz will join Said Differently as executive chairman.
Samba TV and Relo Metrics
Samba TV, a global provider of television technology and omniscreen advertising and analytics, is joining forces with Relo Metrics, a sports sponsorship intelligence platform. The two brands will work together to provide brands, sports teams and agencies with advanced insights on their sponsorship effectiveness on linear television.
SC Johnson
After reviewing its creative and media accounts, SC Johnson has awarded Ogilvy all its creative business. VMLY&R Commerce was given the commerce marketing contract and Omnicom retained the media account. The brand and agencies all declined to comment about the review. According to COMvergence, SC Johnson spent $300 million on measured media in 2021, with $133 million coming in North America.