Ashley Furniture Launches Creative and Media Agency Review

Ashley Furniture is looking for a new creative and media agency. The Arcadia, Wis.-based chain’s search is in the early stages and the national retailer is offering up $50 million of its annual media spending, according to sources.

“Ashley Furniture HomeStores has decided to review their current approach to advertising, with the idea of identifying the best marketing agency to assist us in achieving our goals,” the retailer said in a statement issued through Boston-based consulting firm Pile + Co., which is managing the review. “Their current agency, Zimmerman, has been a good partner for the last five years and intends to participate in the review process.”

Ashley spent approximately $90 million in media during the first nine months of 2013, according to Kantar Media data. The retailer spent $125 million in media in 2012.

Zimmerman, a unit of Omnicom Group, has worked as the retailer’s creative and media shop since April 2009.

The retailer celebrated the opening of its 500th store in Longview, Texas at the end of February.

Work for Zzz’s by Ashley, the retailer’s mattress division which opened early last year, is handled by Ryan Partnership.