According to today's WSJ (paid sub. req.), Agency.com in the U.K. has been hired by Ikea to make print and outdoor ads, in addition to the digital work the shop already handles. It is possible that Agency.com could make TV spots in the future, an Ikea spokeswoman says. Other digital agencies are starting to gain some traditional work, as well. AKQA of San Francisco has been appointed the main agency for Yell.com. …
Ads On Auto Pilot
It's nearly impossible to do something creative with stock footage. But it looks like Zimmerman found a way. From the NYT: Zimmerman Zimmerman Advertising, an advertising agency that is part of the Omnicom Group, is selling stock advertising and online buying for TV, the Internet, print publications, radio, direct mail and in-store ads. The automated system it is offering to advertisers, called Pick-n-Click, is …
Element 79’s Super Bowl Quickie
Super Bowl spots take months to create. Or not. According to Lewis Lazare, Chicago's Element 79 put one together in a hurry for their client Frito-Lay. Creative Director, Phil Gant, at the agency all of a week, went to Chief Creative Officer, Dennis Ryan, with his pitch a mere eight days prior to the game. Gant, who had been chief creative officer at BBDO/Chicago, wanted to do a commercial showing groups of people in …
Digitally-Minded Ad Peeps In High Demand
Boston Business Journal writer, Lisa van der Pool, examines the convulsions being felt throughout Adlandia. She says traditional advertising agencies are facing a difficult paradigm shift--the need to evolve their businesses to accommodate for all things digital. "Our digital group used to be a department. Now, they are right at the center of the agency, digital guys are imbedded into every account," said Fran Kelly, …
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AKQA Sells Majority Stake To Well-Heeled Money Men
The Wall Street Journal (paid sub. req.) is reporting that San Francisco interactive-ad firm AKQA has sold a majority stake to private equity firm General Atlantic LLC. While there's nothing new about an agency acccepting large wads of cash for a partial or full buy out, there is a unique twist to this transaction. AKQA Chief Executive Tom Bedecarre said, "The best solution was to work with someone who is not in our …
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Watching The River Flow
David Armano, Creative VP at Digitas/Chicago is looking for help. If you have the goods (plus a warm coat, hat, mittens and scarf) you could be on your way. …
Of So-Called Rock Stars and Stage-Hogging Poseurs
I just *love* how Ad Age declared the Death of the Rock Star CMO. Well, who do you think anoints them as rock stars in the first place? I decided to explore this asinine trend: Now, there’s nothing wrong with saying someone has extraordinary skill or talent. Heck, even an extra helping of charm and good looks can help you succeed in the ad biz. But to elevate someone to “rock star” status is sheer lunacy. In a …
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How Does Your Agency Get Paid?
AdAge calls Crispin a pioneer in forging a new compensation model in which agencies truly partner with their clients, up to and including getting paid for an idea that really works. "The discussion is beginning to shift from 'What does it cost to generate work and services a client wants?' to 'What is the value of the services and materials the agency is creating for the client?"' said Ronald Urbach, partner, Davis & …