Steve’s breakdown: Regal operates 3 cinema brands including Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres. Hollywood Theaters would be the forth and should be getting a new marketing push.
KNOXVILLE, TN: Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circu [...]
Posts in category Industry: Retail
Regal premieres new brand: Hollywood Theaters
Steve’s breakdown: Regal operates 3 cinema brands including Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres. Hollywood Theaters would be the forth and should be getting a new marketing push.
KNOXVILLE, TN: Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circu [...]
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy prescribes new marketing head
Steve’s breakdown: This is a different kind of pharmacy that is more about care than retail. They have locations in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI; Chicago, IL; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Ontario, Canada.
FLINT, MI: Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a former information technology executive as its director of marketing.
The company announc [...]
Staples looks to consolidate account: RFP Issued
Steve’s breakdown: We suspect the Office Depot/Max merger is going to throw a wrench into the works but make sure your agency creds are over at SRI anyway. They are handling the pitch.
FRAMINGHAM, MA: Staples has circulated a request for proposals in an effort to consolidate all of the company’s communications efforts, sources sai [...]
Office Depot merger with Office Max = opportunity
Steve’s breakdown: Clearly, this is a big deal but it goes beyond Office Depot and Max. How about marketing reactions from:
Staples, Inc. - Ikon Office Solutions, Inc. - United Stationers Inc.
Vistaprint USA, Inc. - FedEx Office - Red Thread - Best Buy Co., Inc.
And to a lesser extent:
RadioShack Corporation – The Target Corporati [...]
Jo-Ann Fabric CMO extends responsibilities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKuziNbxlwo
Steve’s breakdown: Jo-Ann has over 790 stores in 49 states and don’t currently have a traditional agency working on the brand.
HUDSON, OH: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, today announced the appointment of Riddianne Kline to SVP [...]
Double Lead: Ulta Beauty & Michaels Stores
Steve’s breakdown: So the CEO of Ulta Beauty has left for Michaels and Ulta has an interim CEO. It’s a good day in retail new business.
BOLINGBROOK, IL & IRVING CA: Ulta Beauty announced on Thursday that Chuck Rubin will step down as president, CEO and as a director, effective Feb. 21, 2013, to become CEO at Michaels Stores, a [...]
Digiplex premieres new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: Digiplex operates 18 cinemas and 178 screens in AZ, CA, CT, NJ, OH and PA. Here’s the new guy’s email: jhalecky@digiplexdest.com
WESTFIELD, NJ: Digital Cinema Destinations Corp. today announced the appointment of John Halecky as Chief Marketing Officer. Halecky will oversee marketing and brand strategy for [...]
JCPenny: A slow motion train wreck
Steve’s breakdown: As soon as 1st quarter numbers come out, this account will be up for grabs unless CEO Ron Johnson figures out we can see him. We can see him in the luxury hotels, we can see him interviewing on CNBC and we can see him living two lives.
PLANO, TX: JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson is mounting a radical overhaul of the flailing [...]
Selling Tide Dry Cleaners
Steve’s breakdown: First we reported on the Mr. Clean Car Wash business back in June of 2011 – now this. In both situations, you wouldn’t send a packaged goods ad agency to market a retail business. And secondly, they need to sell franchises.
The division doing the work is Agile Pursuits.
CINCINNATI, OH: Procter & Gamble [...]
CVS prescribes new Chief Digital Officer
Steve’s breakdown: The new guy is from Staples and reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Health Care Strategy and Marketing Officer.
WOONSOCKET, RI: CVS Caremark announced today the appointment of Brian Tilzer to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer. Tilzer will develop and lead teams driving CVS Care [...]
Claire’s Stores slips on new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: “Claire’s Stores, Inc. is one of the world’s leading specialty retailers of fashionable accessories and jewelry at affordable prices for young women, teens, tweens and girls ages 3 to 27. The company operates Claire’s Globally and Icing in North America which represents 3,071 stores in North Am [...]
Ballpark Village breaks ground: Ad agency?
Steve’s breakdown: There are a number of potential accounts to pitch in Ballpark Village. There’s the Budweiser Brew House, Live! at Ballpark Village entertainment venue, Cardinals Nation restaurant, and the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum.
ST. LOUIS, MO: Cardinals executives and area political leaders gathered at the site of th [...]
RadioShack plugs in CEO from Walgreens
Steve’s breakdown: This is last-breaking news here folks. Either we’re wrong or we scooped most of the American press.
FORT WORTH, TX: RadioShack said Joseph C. Magnacca, has been appointed CEO and a member of the company’s board effective Feb. 11.
Magnacca, 50, comes to RadioShack from Walgreen Co. where he is executive vice pre [...]
Old Navy finally hooks a CMO
Steve’s breakdown: The new guy ”has logged time on the client side at Cole Haan, Coca-Cola and Converse, as well as the agency side at TBWA/Chiat/Day, Los Angeles, and Ammirati Puris Lintas, London.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Old Navy has tapped a new global chief marketing officer.
Ivan Wicksteed, who most recently served as chie [...]
Kmart Creative in Review
Steve’s breakdown: Kmart creative has been all over the place, which is something we look for when predicting account reviews. The featured commercial is from the holidays.
Our last post for Kmart is: Kmart loses marketing chief as DraftFCB ad contract end nears
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL: While 2013 has seen several significant media account [...]
Buzztime bellies up to the bar with a new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: Two things:
1) With this hire comes a social media agency. That said, big marketing thinking, we believe, is the way to approach the new guy.
2) The logos featured are the clients of Buzztime and handling this account might be a good way to get introduced.
CARLSBAD, CA: NTN Buzztime, Inc., a provider of bar and restau [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Walgreens prescribes $240 million media review
Steve’s breakdown: R3:JLB is handling this review so make sure up-to-speed with those folks.
DEARFIELD, IL: For the first time in a decade, national pharmacy chain Walgreens is launching a formal review for its $240 million media-planning and -buying account.
“The reason we are inviting agencies for a review is that it has been 1 [...]
Reply.com closes on a CMO
Steve’s breakdown: We don’t usually report on marketing companies but these guys need to get the word out and their own services won’t help. How about yours?
SAN RAMON, CA: Reply.com, the leading marketplace for local advertisers, today announced that Chris Mancini has joined the company as its chief marketing officer. Reply [...]
Can you help The Container Store tackle smaller markets?
Steve’s breakdown: We love it when companies serve up new business leads every January when speaking about the new year. We’ve told you about a number of them already. The plan at the Container Store is to spread into smaller markets and we all know they will need some help with that on the marketing side.
COPPELL, TX: Now that it [...]
Creative contest at Mothercare
Steve’s breakdown: Oystercatchers is the consultant handling the pitch so go get acquainted with them first.
WATFORD, UK: The review will be handled by Oystercatchers, along with the retailer’s new global brand and marketing director, Jude Bridge.
Mothercare has previously worked with a number of agencies including Bartle Bogle Hegarty [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Toys “R” Us doesn’t want to play with its agency anymore
Steve’s breakdown: There’s a lot of speculating going on about this split-up but needless to say, if you are interested, jump in.
TORONTO, Canada: Details are currently foggier than a, well, throw a dart and pick any day in London, but sources familiar with the matter confirm that the Canadian division of Toys “R” Us has parted wa [...]
Lose 500 lbs, get a job at Fresh Healthy Vending
Steve’s breakdown: The story is: Alexander Capio weighed 700 lbs not so long ago. The same dedication that allowed him to achieve the almost impossible 500 lbs weight loss will now be the backbone in which Fresh Healthy Vending relies on to drive its marketing message. So we might be looking at the next Jared Fogle and that means more m [...]
$19 million hitting the road at Halford
Steve’s breakdown: These guys sell everything you could ever need for a road trip. Very cool stuff.
REDDITCH, UK: Halfords has put its £12 million advertising account up for pitch.
The incumbent, DLKW Lowe, which was responsible for last year’s epic “best trips last a lifetime” TV spot, has decided not to repitch.
Halfords’ [...]
Coinstar is looking for ideas
Steve Breakdown: So many of you heard the CEO of Coinstar bailed last week. To do damage control and to stop the stock from plummeting, the CFO took control and announced that they have “double revenue in the next five years” plan. They are going to need a better marketing plan to do all this in addition to getting back to 2009 me [...]
Aaron’s sits down with new marketing head
Steve’s breakdown: Aaron’s has more than 2,050 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada and spent $18 million last year. They hired a new ad shop in 2012 but look at this creative. YIKES.
ATLANTA, GA: Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of re [...]
Future Shop reviewing creative
Steve’s breakdown: We’ve always covered Canada but this year we’re making an expanded effort to get those leads for you. And here ya go:
VANCOUVER, Canada: Future Shop Canada is kicking off 2013 with an agency review.
Nikki Hellyer, the retailer’s Vancouver-based director of marketing, said only the creative portion of its [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Burberry global media in review
Steve’s breakdown: “High-end fashion brand Burberry has approached holding companies in advance of a pitch for its global media planning and buying business.” They are clearly looking for a trophy agency so if you’re that, get in there.
LONDON, UK: The global Burberry account, estimeted to be worth £2m in the UK, was [...]
Tropical Smoothie seeks CMO
Steve’s breakdown: The featured ad is from three years ago but I think it’s brilliant! Anyway, they’re looking for someone to take the lead on marketing & PR so help them find your next client.
Here’s the job description:
ATLANTA, GA: Directly responsible for the Tropical Smoothie’s position in the marketplace. D [...]
CEOs Who Will Get Fired in 2013
Steve’s breakdown: The Street has published a list of 5 CEOs who should probably go in 2013.
Do we believe all these companies will be new business leads in 2013? No but if you’ve been following us, you know we think Best Buy, Netflix and Pandora top our list of the 5 mentioned here.
NEW YORK, NY: I use “will” in the [...]
Secret video project: No Regrets
Steve’s breakdown: What we do know is that the secret client has 4000 brand locations. Top suspects with over 4000 stores include Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, True Value, Ace Hardware, GameStop and AutoZone.
The deadline is January 20th, 2013 and the assignment summary is below.
SOMEWHERE, USA: Maybe you moved to LA to chase your dream, maybe yo [...]
This is not a lead: Payless ad account in review
Steve’s breakdown: Every so often we have to remind our members not only what we report but what we don’t. We do not send you off to an ad account review with finalists. And that’s what this is. Now back to your regularly scheduled leads . . .
TOPEKA, KS: Payless ShoeSource is meeting with agencies about its creative busine [...]
Longterm account watch: Fresh & Easy
Steve’s breakdown: Fresh & Easy is getting sold one way or another and the brand will be just hanging out there. Be ready to catch it.
EL SEGUNDO, CA & CHESHUNT, UK: Britain’s biggest retailer, supermarket giant Tesco, said it was launching a strategic review of its struggling US business Fresh & Easy, which may lead [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Style Spa creative review
Steve’s breakdown: If you saw the budget and was wondering, Rs 8-10 crore is about $1.4 to $1.8 million
CHENNAI, India: Furniture retailer Style Spa (formerly Gautier India) is scouting for a creative agency. The process, that began a few days ago, is currently underway in Chennai.
Industry sources have confirmed the news.
Earlier, the [...]
Search review at Wickes home-improvement
Steve’s breakdown: Wickes, the home-improvement retailer, is reviewing its search account, currently held by Greenlight. The review is underway so don’t hesitate.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK: Those challenging for the business are thought to include OMD and iProspect, whose sister Aegis agency Carat picked up the Wickes media planning a [...]
Kohl’s $1 billion media review
Steve’s breakdown: This is a fickle client. In fact, I was involved in the strategy review while advising at Berlin Cameron United last year. Now I’m hearing no one might have been tapped.
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI: Kohl’s has put its media account into review.
The retailer is seeking an agency to handle all media, according to e [...]
Gold’s Gym pumps up marketing with new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: I always find it weird when press releases talk about brands “the new guy” worked on. In this case, KFC, Pepsi, Frito-Lay and Pizza Hut are brands the new guy worked on in the 90s! Who cares.
Anyway, I’ve been a member of their Wall Street gym and it’s a great brand with a great identity just [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Farrow & Ball’s UK & US media review
Steve’s breakdown: “Farrow & Ball, the UK-based upmarket paint manufacturer, is reviewing its £2m international media planning and buying account.”
WIMBOURNE MINSTER, UK: The review will include the UK, Western Europe and the US. There was no incumbent as the company previously handled its media planning and buying in-ho [...]
CEO #3 at Marsh Supermarkets
Steve’s breakdown: These folks have had 3 CEOs since April of 2011. Do you think there’s a little pressure on the new guy to perform? We think so and some good old fashion retail marketing is what you should pitch.
FISHERS, IN: The parent company of Marsh Supermarkets has picked a new CEO to lead the locally based grocery chain.
[...]
Tire Kingdom looking for videos
Steve’s breakdown: They need submissions in the form of 60 – 90 second videos, which will help supplement their 2013 online marketing campaign. So hop in and take a ride with them on this assignment! Deadline is January 6, 2013. Get the brief here.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL: TBC Corporation is the nation’s LARGEST vertically in [...]
GoSpotCheck bags ex-Coke CMO as advisor
Steve’s breakdown: There’s only one reason they did this, growth through marketing insight. Keep an eye on these folks because things are going to get interesting.
DENVER, CO: GoSpotCheck, a provider of mobile and web-based software that enables businesses to collect on-the-ground, real-time retail data and intelligence, today ann [...]
Superdrug shopping $7.5 million account around
Steve’s breakdown: The featured video starring Joanna Page was produced just for YouTube. It’s well done but probably didn’t pull shoppers considering how much it cost. New ideas is what they need.
CROYDON, UK: Superdrug has launched a review of its UK advertising account, which is estimated to be worth around five million [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
OfficeMax moving a bit to the digital side with new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: The new guys’ job includes “brand management and evolution of the company’s traditional marketing vehicles to new media including digital and social.”
Did you hear that digital agencies???
CHICAGO, IL: OfficeMax(®) Incorporated (NYSE:OMX), a leader in office and facility supplies, technology a [...]
Pearle Vision on the lookout for creative shop
Steve’s breakdown: Pile and Co. is handling this pitch so I hope you have your credentials over there. And if you don’t, did it sooner than later so you don’t miss out on their next review.
MASON, OH: Pearle Vision may have its sights on a new agency. The Luxottica Group unit is reaching out to shops to serve as the lead c [...]
Plink plucks itself a CMO
Steve’s breakdown: We have a bit of a coming together of old pals here. Which could mean they are almost ready to pull the trigger on some real marketing here.
DENVER, CO: Plink, the venture-backed developer of online loyalty programs, said today that it has named Marc Marin as Chief Marketing Officer. Marin was previously at PurePlay, [...]
American Greetings invites agencies to pitch
Steve’s breakdown: This is a double pitch. Media and creative are up for grabs.
BTW: I was on the pitch team when J. Walter Thompson won this account back in 1986. I was, like, 3 years old at the time
BROOKLYN, OH: Cardmaker American Greetings is reaching out to agencies for creative and media services.
The move comes after Element 79 l [...]
Citarella goes shopping for a new marketing chief
Steve’s breakdown: This is one of my favorite gourmet markets and I guarantee you’ll love having hem as a client. So get in there before they hire the new marketing head.
Here’s the job listing:
NEW YORK, NY: Director of Marketing at Citarella
The Marketing Director will be a motivational, hands-on, relationship builder and [...]
FoodLink finds the final link: Now let’s get advertising
Steve’s breakdown: This is the future of food; from farmer to fork. We expect big growth for FoodLink and a smart marketing plan will make that happen.
LOS GATOS, CA: FoodLink®, the buying platform that connects fresh food retailers and wholesalers to a network of over 2,000 supplier companies, today announced a definitive agreement to [...]
First CMO at Perfumania
Steve’s breakdown: In addition to their 350 retail stores, they are managing brands such as Rihanna, Vince Camuto, Jessica Simpson, Success by Donald Trump, and Tommy Bahama.
NEW YORK, NY: Perfumania Holdings, Inc. announced today the appointment of Linda G. Levy to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediatel [...]
Agency growth by tapping Chinese tourists
Steve’s breakdown: Expanding an agency’s services is a fast way to increase revenue and one of the fastest growing markets in the world is the Chinese consumer. And we think marketing specifically to Chinese tourists is the easiest way to get in the game.
Here’s a nine-point plan to do just that.
EVERYWHERE USA: The rise of [...]
RedPrairie keeps commerce in motion with new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: We’ve got a BtoB account here. They say they can optimize inventory, improve employee productivity & increase sales. Maybe I should hire them!!
ATLANTA, GA: RedPrairie Corporation, a global supply chain and retail technology provider, announced today that Gary Conway has been appointed executive vice presid [...]
Trouble in Paradise? Accounts won one year ago this week
Steve’s breakdown: It’s Wednesday and that means our weekly instalment of Trouble in Paradise where we list the accounts won this week last year. The idea being most agency-client relationships will break within a year if they are meant to break.
EVERYWHERE USA: So here are the accounts won one year ago this week. The chart shows the client, [...]
Family Dollar checks out new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: I didn’t even know Family Dollar did TV but they do. In fact, they have a “weekly ad” section on their website. So go ahead and pitch these folks.
MATTHEWS, NC: Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYS: FDO) today announced that it has named Jocelyn Wong to the position of Senior Vice President – Chief [...]