Steve’s breakdown: These type 2 diabetes drugs, NESINA, OSENI & KAZANO, will probably get pretty decent sized ad budgets considering millions of people are affected.
DEERFIELD, IL: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the United State [...]
Posts in category News: Brand launch
Three type 2 diabetes drugs get approval at Takeda
Steve’s breakdown: These type 2 diabetes drugs, NESINA, OSENI & KAZANO, will probably get pretty decent sized ad budgets considering millions of people are affected.
DEERFIELD, IL: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the United State [...]
Research in Motion changes name to BlackBerry
Steve’s breakdown: In addition to the name change, Alicia Keys has been brought in as creative director. So either way you see this going, marketing is clearly going to change.
WATERLOO, Canada: Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), taking the name of its best-known product, will now be known simply as BlackBerry, part of a comeback plan that [...]
Bayou rum to launch this summer
Steve’s breakdown: They are going to need some advertising to make this brand as successful as they plan.
LACASSINE, LA: The Hornets weren’t the only ones this month to get a new name. Last week, the new distillery Louisiana Spirits in Lacassine announced that it will launch this summer both a clear, “silver” run and a [...]
Coming to America: Alfa Romeo
Steve’s breakdown: My Italian-American family has been waiting for a long time for Alfa to come back to America! There has been no word on an agency-of-record but they are going to need one so hit the phones.
BTW: Last May we reported Fiat + Mazda = New Roadsters including Alfas.
AUBURN HILLS, MI: The Alfa Romeo 4C, a lightweight, rear- [...]
Santaris to launch Uceris™
Steve’s breakdown: They are adding 85 new sales people to handle this launch and it doesn’t look like they have the branding done yet.
SAN DIEGO, CA: Santarus, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNTS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved UCERIS™ (budesonide) extended release tablets for the induction of remissi [...]
Long John Silver’s new menu campaign has no agency . . .
Steve’s breakdown: This news is a bit confusing but here’s what we know. They are going to launch a digital campaign in two months with the “That’s what I like” theme. Then the article says “Previously, the brand had partnered with Louisville-based agency Creative Alliance to launch its current ‘That [...]
Manhattan West project now needs to market apartments
Steve’s breakdown: It’s been a long time coming but the Manhattan West project on the westside is going up but now with residential tennants it needs to sell. We’re calling it a “brand launch”.
NEW YORK, NY: After six years of promises, Brookfield Office Properties has finally started to build a deck over the exp [...]
South Park creators to start own studio
Steve’s breakdown: Could you imagine having these guys as your client? The first brand is clearly the “Book of Mormon” movie. So go ring their doorbell!
NEW YORK, NY: The creators of “South Park” are branching out beyond the underpants business.
From left, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Casey Nicholaw and Robert Lopez at the [...]
CES 2013: After Delays, Pebble Wristwatch Will Ship Jan. 23
https://vimeo.com/40128933
Steve’s breakdown: Fresh from CES: The featured video is how they paid for the production of 85,000 Pebble watches via KickStarter.
The news is they have a great product but no proper marketing.
SILICON VALLEY, CA: Pebble, the much-hyped wristwatch designed to connect wirelessly to smartphones to display infor [...]
Sanofi buys Rolaids from J&J
Steve’s breakdown: Sanofi now needs to relaunch Rolaids since it hasn’t been on the selves for 2 years. Need I say more.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ: Rolaids is an iconic brand of antacid tablets, but it hasn’t been produced since 2010 and has now been sold twice in six years.
Johnson & Johnson, which paid $16.6 billion to Pfizer [...]
Consumer Electronics Pre-Show Report
Steve’s breakdown: The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) starts tomorrow and there will be lots of new business opportunities to look into. Here’s Consumer’s Reports pre-show take on a few new products & technologies. We’ll have more all week.
CES 2013 video: Hands on with TDK Q35 [...]
“Blockbuster” drug approved by FDA
Steve’s breakdown: Cardiologists are already bracing for the marketing onslaught that will be launched for this drug. An agency has not been named so get in there now.
NEW YORK, NY: The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Eliquis, an anticlotting drug that has been highly anticipated by cardiologists and is expected to be a [...]
FDA approves new tuberculosis treatment
Steve’s breakdown: A new drug means a new ad account without an agency. This one is with J&J.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: The Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday that it had approved a new treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis that can be used as an alternative when other drugs fail.
Koen Andries, a Janssen scientis [...]
Anchor Steam’s owner launches Hophead Vodka
Steve’s breakdown: We all know about Anchor Steam’s beers and ales but few know about their distillery. If fact, with this brand launch, they will have 60 spirits in their portfolio. The brewery does their advertising in-house so we suspect the same is true with the distillery.
So congratulate them on the launch of their own vodka [...]
An ad account is born: Dish cleared for smartphone service
Steve’s breakdown: We’ve been watching these guys slowly taking over the world. For instance, in August we reported “Dish to offer nationwide satellite Internet service“. Now this. So who’s going to handle this account? You?
ENGLEWOOD, CO: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved a proposal to letD [...]
Medullary thyroid cancer drug Cometriq approved
Steve’s breakdown: Just so you all know, we are going to start covering hot FDA approvals for any of you interested in the pharma category. This is the first.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Exelixis Inc.‘s (EXEL: Quote) lead compound for medullary thyroid cancer, Cometriq, previously known as Cabozantinib, crossed the finish line on Thu [...]
Mail.Ru Games: US & Europe review
Steve’s breakdown: “Russia’s largest internet group is looking for global agency help for video games launches as part of ambitious international growth. Allods Online is one of Mail.Ru Games’ leading titles
MOSCOW, Russia: Mail.Ru Group is seeking a consumer agency to work on various game launches in the US and Europe.
[...]
The College Football Playoffs & New Business
Steve’s breakdown: Since we are all in a football state-of-mind this Thanksgiving, we thought we’d talk college for a moment.
Now that we know who’s going to be airing the new college playoffs, read below, how are you going to win new business leveraging them. Simple, go local. There’s going to be an entirely different [...]
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout launch: Agency?
Steve’s breakdown: Sometimes we just run into potential clients and wonder why they are not being represented. Alltech is a good example. And here they are launching another beer . . .
LEXINGTON, KY: Alltech added a fourth beer to its Kentucky Ale stable of brews on Monday.
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout is a coffee stout that uses the H [...]
Ziering hair transplant to launch in UK: PR in review
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a nice opportunity to expand into the UK. You got to start somewhere.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA: The five-figure brief is for media relations work for Ziering Medical Worldwide, a US company that treats men and women, and founded by surgeon Craig Ziering.
The company, which is launching its services in the UK in [...]
MoneyGram goes truly global
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a perfect example of the type of lead we serve up that no one else ever does. Cheers!
DALLAS, TX: Qtel and MoneyGram have announced a new partnership to make MoneyGram money transfer available through Qtel Mobile Money, a service which enables customers to transfer money to almost every country in the wo [...]
South Boston Waterfront development without an agency?
Steve’s breakdown: This is a pretty big deal with high profile elements. Go to the “source” of this news for more details.
BOSTON, MA: Pier 4 is a mixed-use project on the South Boston Waterfront that will include approximately 1 million square feet of hotel, residential, office, retail and civic uses on approximately 9.5 ac [...]
VooDoo BBQ is not frightened of growth: big franchising deal
Steve’s breakdown: We see this brand kicking it into gear with this franchise deal. Their present advertising is okay but not tasty enough so get in there and show’em how it’s done. (225) 926-8780
PRAIRIEVILLE, LA: VooDoo BBQ & Grill is ready to bring a new style of Cajun-Creole barbecue to South Florida.
The fast casu [...]
UnitedHealth Group to expand into Brazil
Steve’s breakdown: So many of our suscribers want to expand in the growing marketing place of South America. Well, here’s a whoper for ya.
MINNETONKA, MN: UnitedHealth Group Inc. will spend about $4.9 billion to buy a majority stake in Brazilian health benefits and care provider Amil Participacoes SA, as the largest U.S. health i [...]
Is there an airline without an agency flying around?
Steve’s breakdown: SeaPort Airlines just got the Athens-Nashville route. Not big news but who’s promoting them? If you’re in the northwest or the mid-south, this would be a good call.
PORTLAND, OR: Federal officials have awarded a two-year subsidy to Oregon-based SeaPort Airlines to provide passenger flights from Athens to N [...]
Grey Goose importer’s new venture: VnC Cocktails
Steve’s breakdown: These are the folks who brought us Grey Goose and then sold it to Bacardi for $3 billion. Now they are onto VnC. A ready to serve cocktail item.
NEW YORK, NY: Sidney Frank Importing has partnered with VnC Cocktails of New Zealand to import and distribute the latter’s ready-to-serve products in the US, Puerto Ric [...]
The new Kraft needs to make up for undermarketing
Steve’s breakdown: Last year we predicted the Kraft grocery business would go into review once it was finalized. And now that the stock has been listed, analysts are saying their brands have been undermarketed. That’s Your Second Cue!
And to get you started, take a look at Jell-O.
NORTHFIELD, IL: Kraft’s North American groce [...]
World’s biggest Ferris wheel doesn’t have an ad agency
Steve’s breakdown: If you’ve haven’t heard, NYC is building the world’s biggest Ferris wheel but there has been no word on how they are going to promote this attrachtion. Sounds like an enormously fun account and I’d pitch it right now.
STATEN ISLAND, NY: The Big Apple is getting another “biggest”: Th [...]
125 proof vodka launches out of New Orleans
Steve’s breakdown: In addition to the launch of Buck 25 and the company, they have Toulouse Red, a red absinthe, in the pipeline so ask about both.
NEW ORLEANS, LA: Most vodkas are 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume. The 125-proof Buck 25 from New Orleans’ Atelier Vie comes armed with extra firepower. Jedd Haas, president of the M [...]
Suntory Liquors to launch Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark & 24 more items in Japan
Steve’s breakdown: We have never reported on international news that wasn’t an account review but this one had to happen. Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and whole bunch more are “dropping” in Japan but who’s handling the advertising?
TOKYO, Japan: Suntory to launch of 26 Items from 10 Import Brands, Including the W [...]
$500 million is being moved to Microsoft’s YouthSpark
Steve’s breakdown: 1/2 billion dollars is a lot of money to be moving around and we expect there are going to be multiple opportunities to get involved with. And maybe make some money.
REDMOND, WA: Microsoft announced Thursday that it’s undertaking a new global initiative to combat the “opportunity gap” for young people.
Philanthropica [...]
Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition to launch
Steve’s breakdown: Now that we are looking closer into the spirits biz because a subscriber asked us to, we’re seeing there is more movement than we thought in the category. Mostly with product launches that could help an agency get into a category. Here’s another example:
DUFFTOWN, Scotland: Glenfiddich Distillery, a Scotla [...]
Filene is coming out of the Basement
Steve’s breakdown: Coming out of bankruptcy is not easy but this was a beloved brand and I suspect there might even be some pent-up demand. Secondly, they will not be able to pull it off without advertising so go check it out.
BOSTON, MA & NEW YORK, NY: The owner of the former Filene’s Basement chain plans to emerge from bankruptcy [...]
Zeebox to launch in USA
Steve’s breakdown: TV’s sidekick is coming to the US of A. They have a partnership with Comcast already but don’t know who will be doing the creative. The featured ad can’t be it. Right?
LONDON, UK: Social TV start-up Zeebox is preparing to expand across the Atlantic by launching its social TV app in the US, with Comc [...]
The Mayan calendar just might be right: Introducing Drag Queen Barbie
Steve’s breakdown: That’s right folks! For $125 you to can get your own Drag Queen Barbie this holiday season.
What’s the new business opportunity? Well, the flood gates are open now and every toy maker, game developer and collectable manufacture is going to be watching this very closely. Just be ready to pounce.
Have a grea [...]
Fast-casual spinoff to take off this fall: Taqueria
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s one of those ground-floor growth accounts that could be a great opportunity. But you should move fast, they launch in October.
LUBBOCK, TX: Food Concepts International is planning a fast-casual spinoff of its Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant in late October with the opening of the new Abuelo’s Taqueria in its [...]
Dish to offer nationwide satellite Internet service
Steve’s breakdown: They are keeping these plans under wraps which is pretty hard when you launch a satellite into space. Either way, no word on who’s handling advertising so it might be a good call to make.
ENGLEWOOD, CO: Dish Network Corp. is preparing to introduce a nationwide broadband-Internet service using a satellite from si [...]
Cognacs gone Wild!
Steve’s breakdown: Four products launches in one post. You’r welcome!
NEW YORK, NY: CAMUS (pronunciation: ”Kah-moo”), the last independent, family-owned Cognac house and 5th largest worldwide, is proud to announce the release of the first and only Ile de Re Cognac. Ile de Re is an island off the west coast of Francetha [...]
West Brewery coming to America
Steve’s breakdown: This project would probably start in Glasgow but that doesn’t mean your agency headquarters couldn’t be it’s first foothold in the US.
BTW: WEST is the only brewery in the UK that produces all of its beers according to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Purity Law.
GLASGOW, Scotland: West Brewery, a Glas [...]
Buckhead Atlanta restarts construction: What about marketing?
Steve’s breakdown: The thing about real estate developers is that many of them have projects all over the country. Meaning they are managing many brands at once so if you win one, the next one will be that much easier.
ATLANTA, GA: Developer OliverMcMillan has restarted work on Buckhead Atlanta, the 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use pro [...]
Commercial Real Estate boom in Texas
Steve’s breakdown: A subscriber mentioned they wanted to see more real estate new business news (AKA leads) so here you go.
Seems things are looking good in Austin, TX. There are several possible leads in this article so read to the bottom if you’re in the market.
AUSTIN, TX: With only the concrete slabs remaining where 30 mobile [...]
Jackson Hotel to relaunch as Long Beach Hotel
Steve’s breakdown: They been trying to revive this place for some time but this looks like the real deal. They have a new name but some long island agency needs to spread the word!
LONG BEACH, NY: The long-dilapidated Jackson Hotel in Long Beach has a new owner, and it is slated to get a new look and name.
The 120-room hotel was sold la [...]
NYC Payphones turned to WiFi hotspots!
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a great idea that they are testing. We predict it works and they go city wide, which means they’ll have to tell the world. Are you the agency to make that happen?
NEW YORK, NY: Payphones, those relics of the pre-cellphone era, may just get a new lease on life in New York. The city is testing a pilot [...]
Connecticut Brewers Guild is launched
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s the key line of this story: “The new non-profit organization will try to attract tourists, promote beer festivals and generally increase interest in local brews.”
I hear a baby crying . . . a new ad account was just born!
HARTFORD, CT: Beer drinkers seeking a locally made brew will get help fr [...]
Unreal Candy to launch in thousands of store: Will anyone know?
Steve’s breakdown: These folks look to be on their way distribution wise but what about messaging?
BOSTON, MA: Hub entrepreneur Michael Bronner, who previously launched blockbuster Boston startups Digitas and Upromise, has a new mission — taking the junk out of junk food.
“Our goal is to ‘unjunk’ the world,” said Bronner, whose new st [...]
Sam Adams goes for the hard stuff: Partnering with Berkshire Mountain to make whiskey
Steve’s breakdown: We all knew this was going to happen someday. Well here it is: Sam Whiskey! Managing the expectations of this brand will probably be the big job.
BOSTON GREAT BARRINGTON, MA: You know what’s good? Samuel Adams beer. You know what’s better? Samuel Adams liquor. The local brewery today announced a partnership with Berks [...]
Rebranding: Dropping the Lutheran from Gundersen Lutheran
Steve’s breakdown: What these folks need is a team of branding experts to solve this thing. So if you’re in the neighborhood, you know what to do. BTW: This is our second Lutheran themed story this month. Earlier we reported Beyond Lutherans: Thrivent Financial looks to expand.
LA CROSSE, WI: Gundersen Lutheran is considering drop [...]
Sara Lee bets the farm on Hillshire name
Steve’s breakdown: So the other shoe fell today at Sara Lee. They are going to call the company Hillshire Brands. We don’t know the agency but we do know they will increase ad dollars.
DOWNERS GROVE, IL: Sara Lee Corp will change its name to Hillshire Brands Co later this month to reflect its focus as a North American meat company [...]
Burger King marches further into Russia
Steve’s breakdown: People say we don’t cover Russia and they’re mostly right, but not today. This expanding account will be huge and could use some grown-up marketing. And the best part is you already know who the client is: BurgerKing Rus!
MIAMI, FL & EVERYWHERE, Russia: Burger King has set its sites on Russia as the n [...]
Fiat + Mazda = New Roadsters
Steve’s breakdown: This is a three continent deal involving three different cars. Hopefully the Chrysler folks will be the driving force behind marketing in the United States.
DETROIT, MI & HIROSHIMA, Japan & TURIN, Italy: Fiat SpA — the parent company of Chrysler Group LLC — announced Wednesday a new alliance with Mazda Motor C [...]
Yankee introduces Man Cave Candles: But are they really marketed right?
Steve’s breakdown: Gag-gift alert! Yankee Candle, the industry leader, has done it again. This time with man scents. Is this a lead? Judging by how they are marketing it, it should be so give them a call.
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA: Yankee Candle Chief Executive Officer Harlan Kent is battling for men’s equality in the candle industry. Afte [...]
Miami Subs Grill growing into South America
Steve’s breakdown: If your agency is looking for an opportunity to move internationally, here a possible road: Follow the Client! Miami Subs Grill has a long term growth plan for South America and it’s via franchisers which means there has to be a marketing plan attached.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Miami Subs Grill is expanding oversea [...]
Latin American Expansion Begins for H&M in Mexico
Steve’s breakdown: This could be a major growth client. In 2000, H&M opened their first store in the USA. Now the retailer has over 200 stores in over 30 states. By-the-way, we reported H&M Puts Media Account into Review back in February.
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: H&M, the national retail-company, is taking its first steps toward [...]
Hemp Vodka: Now that’s an account You Want!
Steve’s breakdown: Never thought you’d see a lead out of Wasilla Alaska on this report. Wasilla, where Sarah Palin was mayor. Anyway, this vodka looks to have some legs so go catch it!
WASILLA, Alaska — During at least one 420 celebration in Alaska on Friday, you’ll be invited to pour yourself a drink instead of lighting up.
In th [...]
Wine Giant, Constellation, let’s their Marketing Plans out of the Bottle
Steve’s breakdown: Most of the time companies stay mum about their marketing plans but sometimes they have to talk. Constellation Brands earnings took a major hit today and now they have to tell their stock holders why and how it’s going to be okay. And here’s what they let slip: “profit growth will be tempered by mark [...]
LEAD? Starbucks to Launch Single Serving Coffee Machines
Steve’s breakdown: This news is just minutes old and it has the industry in a buzz. It’s not yet known which ad agency will be handling the launch but if you want the business, make the call.
SEATTLE, WA: Starbucks Corp. says it will soon sell a single-cup coffee machine for people to brew lattes and other coffee drinks at home.
[...]
Campbell Soup to Reinvigorate its Marketing and Advertising
Steve’s breakdown: Campbell Soup Co introduced a range of new products including soups with exotic flavors sold in pouches on Wednesday, as its new CEO aims to deliver on her mandate to turn around the company’s ailing North American soup business. And considering the pressure she’s under, there is no good marketing idea tha [...]
CavinKare Seeks Creative Partner for New Henna Brand
Steve’s breakdown: CavinKare manufactures and markets personal care products such as ethnic care, skin care, and home care products, as well as offers hair care products, including coconut oil; and food products, such as pickles, vermicelli, and peanut candies. It markets its products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Ba [...]
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Announces the Re-Launch of Atkins.com
Steve’s breakdown: Website to offer even more free, customizable tools to educate, connect and engage dieters but no word on their marketing strategy. Maybe you should be pitching them one? BTW: We reported back in May that Atkins Nutritional advertising account resigned by agency.
DENVER, CO: Just in time for New Year’s resoluti [...]
T3 Motion Launches Consumer T3 Electric Vehicle
Steve’s breakdown: This is a fun product that would be great to have in cities, boardwalks and family compounds around the globe. So it might as well be you doing the advertising.
COSTA MESA, CA: www.t3motion.com - T3 Motion, Inc. a producer of clean/green technology, announced its newest product launch—a T3 power sports product. With t [...]