Brand MarketingMizuno Moves to BooneOakleyBy David Gianatasio|February 2, 2010ShareBy David Gianatasio|February 2, 2010ShareBooneOakley in Charlotte, N.C., has added the Mizuno USA account following a review, and its first work for the brand will break in the fall across traditional and online media.Phil Smith, president of the independent shop, said: “We like passion brands, and our research tells us that Mizuno is a brand people are passionate about. Our job is simple — just get a few million more athletes on the Mizuno bandwagon.”Work will target sports enthusiasts in running, baseball/softball, golf and volleyball.Bob Puccini, president of the Norcross, Ga.-based client, lauded BooneOakley’s “drive and heart” and its ability to position a challenger brand for growth in a highly competitive market.The budget moving forward was not disclosed but is likely in the low-seven-figure range. Mizuno spent $2.5 million on ads in the first 11 months of 2009, per Nielsen, down from almost $4 million for full-year ’08. The client had recently worked with Atlanta independent Huey/Paprocki.BooneOakley also works for Bloom, Wave Energy Drink, ISS Research, CarMax and Visit Charlotte. Adweek Adweek