Steve’s breakdown: A few days ago I was asked “how often are Ratti Report account review predictions right on target?” The truth is, all the time but we never prove it to anybody. That ends today with our first “Proof it Works” report.
Back in November we told our members how Service King wanted to be #1 but they [...]
Posts in category Region: Southwest USA
Proof The Ratti Report Works: #1
Steve’s breakdown: A few days ago I was asked “how often are Ratti Report account review predictions right on target?” The truth is, all the time but we never prove it to anybody. That ends today with our first “Proof it Works” report.
Back in November we told our members how Service King wanted to be #1 but they [...]
100 days to fix RadioShack
Steve’s breakdown: I know Grey just won this account back in April but this whole 100 days thing is screaming: pitch the CEO some “truly right-size” type ideas so he doesn’t get fired in 100 days. Right?
FORT WORTH, TX: After two weeks on the job, RadioShack Corp. CEO Joseph Magnacca said Tuesday that the company has [...]
New CMO takes flight at Wingstop
Steve’s breakdown: Okay, three things:
Troy Aikman is the spokes person
Like with all restaurant accounts, check to see if there’s a location near you. You can’t pitch what you can’t eat.
“The Wing Experts” is the tagline . . . it even hurts to type it
RICHARDSON, TX: Wingstop has appointed Doug Willmart [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Chesapeake Energy CEO out: What’s next?
Steve’s breakdown: There’s a lot going on over at Chesapeake Energy and we suspect a new look at PR is happening right now.
HOUSTON, TX: Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake Energy’s daring and innovative co-founder, will step down as chief executive on April 1 after months of scrutiny over how he mixed his personal finances and those [...]
Hostess, Drakes and Dolly Madison to get new owners
UPDATE: We’ll know what’s happening with hostess on Feb. 28th.
Here’s the original post from November:
Steve’s breakdown: This is either the biggest bluff I’ve seen in years or it’s the end of Hostess Brands. If it is the end, that means there will be new owners for brands such as Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho H [...]
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, [...]
Make a Lay’s Wave commercial
Steve’s breakdown: Your assignment is simple, produce a :30 second TV(!!) commercial that introduces millennial female consumers to the new Wavy. The deadline is February 26th, 2013 and the brief is here.
PLANO, TX: You’ve had a long day! Work was well, work, your commute was full of people who you would never even consider adding [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
CMO opening at Arizona Central Credit Union
Steve’s breakdown: The person who gets this job will have a lot on their plate so maybe an agency could give’m a hand.
PHOENIX, AZ: Arizona Central Credit Union has an immediate opening for a Chief Marketing Officer. The ideal candidate will work to advance the Credit Union’s competitive position, consistent with its vision [...]
UPDATE: Account Review Prediction: Chilli’s
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s an update on Brinker via an interview with new CEO. Take a look. FROM NOVEMBER: The “place holder” TV creative Chilli’s is running right now is obvious. As soon as a new president gets in there, there will be an ad review.
DALLAS, TX: Brinker International Inc. EAT -1.96% named Chili [...]
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, [...]
Pizza Inn bakes up new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: I happen to know one of our members was close to winning this account back in 2011 without a formal pitch. This tells me it’s time to go back and try it again. Here’s the link to their latest spot on Facebook.
BTW: Back in November of 2010 we reported “Pizza Inn Names Kendra Shier Vice Preside [...]
Arizona Tourism calls out to China: PR in review
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a great opportunity to not only work a great account but to spread your winds in China. 跳转
Proposals are due Jan. 10, 2013 you can view the RFP here.
PHOENIX, AZ: Arizona has kicked off a search for travel PR targeting China with an RFP process through early January.
The Arizona Office of Tourism is calli [...]
Account Review Prediction: PR for Super Bowl XLIX
Steve’s breakdown: Hosting a Super Bowl is no small job and one of the biggest tasks is to get the public behind you. That’s what we think is the biggest new business opportunity here.
PHOENIX, AZ: The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee today announced the appointment of Jay L. Parry to head the organization as Chief Executive Offi [...]
GoDaddy’s new CEO has an ad plan
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s what the new CEO thinks of GoDaddy advertising: “The new CEO said he even agrees with the company’s approach to advertising, which critics have labeled as sexist for its heavy reliance on scantily clad female models and celebrities. “I like the edginess of the advertising,” he said, adding that fut [...]
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, [...]
Milking Leads out of Dallas: Dean Foods
Steve’s breakdown: Dean Foods, an account I have pitched and won while at Long Advertising, is in the midths of dismantling itself. That means everytime they sell off a slice, that’s a Lead. Here’s the latest.
MONTREAL, Canada & DALLAS, TX: Canada’s largest dairy processor will increase its U.S.presence by buying Dean Fo [...]
PR Account Prediction: Sasol to put $16 to $20 billion in Louisiana
Steve’s breakdown: This is a monstrous project and we think they are going to need a PR firm to make it happen smoothly. Congrats to Louisiana!
WEST LAKE, LA: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Monday that international energy and chemicals company Sasol Ltd. will invest between $16 billion and $21 billion in a major project in Westl [...]
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, [...]
Service King seeks to be #1: Agency?
Steve’s breakdown: Back in August, Service King was bought by the Carlyle Group. We didn’t cover story because no one knew what the plan was. Well, now we do. Be #1 and that’s going to need marketing and as far as we can tell, no ad agency is on the case.
DALLAS, TX: A Texas twang still echoes through the halls at Service K [...]
Pizza Inn hires Former CMO of Pizza Hut as CEO
Steve’s breakdown: Expect big changes in marketing at Pizza Inn in the next few months. We’d go as far as to predict this to go into review.
BTW: To slightly celebrate out 2nd anniversary of The Ratti Report, here’s an article we posted back in 2010 about Pizza Inn.
THE COLONY, TX: Pizza Inn Holdings Inc. today announced tha [...]
7up Ten assignment contest
Steve’s breakdown: These small assignment contests are great ways for small shops to get exposure, build portfolios and get into new categories. Go to the Source for all the info.
DALLAS, TX: 7UP has always been a brand that challenges the norm. From their “Uncola” to”Up Yours” campaigns, they have shown their wi [...]
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 [...]
BNSF gets 2nd new CMO in 1 year
Steve’s breakdown: BNSF named Steve Bobb executive vice president and chief marketing officer, with responsibility for BNSF’s sales, marketing, customer service, economic development and business unit activities. He succeeds John Lanigan, who has decided to retire effective Jan. 15, 2013.
BTW: We just reported last January ̶ [...]
Sonic PR in Review
Steve’s breakdown: The RFP has not yet been sent out yet and it’s coming from Joanne Davis Consulting. BTW: This winter we reported Bagel guy now Drive-in guy: Sonic gets new CMO and said international expansion might be on the table. We still think that’s the case.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Sonic is preparing for a PR-agency rev [...]
Peter Piper delivers a new President
Steve’s breakdown: A few things . . .
1) For those who don’t know, Peter Piper is like a western version of Chucky Cheese.
2) When ever we see a CMO taking the top spot at any marketer, we think that’s a lead.
3) Chains the new president has held a executive-level marketing position at include Salsarita’s, Captain D’s Seafo [...]
Sunoco bought but still Pumping
Steve’s breakdown: Sunoco is not dead yet – and it may never die no matter who owns it. But that’s my point here. The retail business will stay in Phily but under new ownership. To us, that spells opportunity!
PHILADELPHIA, PA & DALLAS, TX: Some time by the close of business this week, a Texas pipeline company called En [...]
$55 million Travelocity media account roams for agency
Steve’s breakdown: RFPs have been sent out but that should stop you from contacting the right person. That person is Mr. Bradley E. Wilson the Chief Marketing Officer. He has a very clever/sneaky email address: bradley.wilson@sabre.com
SOUTHLAKE, TX: Travelocity has issued an RFP to a number of media agencies as it begins a review.
Pub [...]
Additech adds a CMO
Steve’s breakdown: This is a curious hire considering the new CMO has worked at Shell, Hasbro, Clorox and ACNielsen. I suspect she’ll want to make her mark and that could mean an agency review.
HOUSTON, TX: Additech, a leading outsourced operator of at-the-pump additive and interactive merchandising systems, has hired Farah Jumsh [...]
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: Accounts won one year ago this week. Source: Access Confidential
Cannon Mountain [...]
Solar consolidation: Draker & Solar Power Technologies are One
Steve’s breakdown: We know how hard agencies are trying to get green accounts and we’re here to help. Draker will be the brand going forward and we suspect they will be ramping up their advertising efforts.
BURLINGTON, VT: Draker and Solar Power Technologies, Inc. (SPTI) jointly announce that they have successfully merged, effecti [...]
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: Accounts won one year ago this week. Source: Access Confidential
Duk [...]
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 [...]
BP to sell Arco gas stations to Tesoro
Steve’s breakdown: This move will put the headquarters of the gas station brand in the United States and that’s always good news. FYI: they have more than 1,300 ARCO-branded sites currently operate in five western states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona.
SAN ANTONIO, TX: Oil company BP says it has agreed to sel [...]
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 [...]
Where there’s smoke, there’s a market
Steve’s breakdown: We love good ideas; especially when it saves homes, is top of mind and we’d all love to see it happen. Here’s one that could spark an industry.
WILDFIRE, USA: Retired Loveland Fire Marshal Tim Haag, after seeing homes destroyed by fire, thought many times over his 34-year-career, that there had to be some [...]
Texas HMO seeks re-branding
Steve’s breakdown: Whether or not you agree with the Affordable Care Act (AKA ObamaCare) there is going to be a lot of new business to be had because of it so jump-on-it. View the RFP for this here.
HOUSTON, TX: A Texas health maintenance organization which anticipates significant expansion under the federal healthcare reform law has ki [...]
PR & social media in review for Toll Roads in Orange County
Steve’s breakdown: You’re getting a big head start on this one. Questions about the review are due August 20, 2012 and proposals are due September 7, 2012.
See the original document here.
IRVINE, CA: The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency and the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (jointly referred to as [...]
Imperial Sugar gets bought
Steve’s breakdown: Accounts involved in this merger include the Imperial®, Dixie Crystals®, and Holly® brands. Now maybe they will revive their TV campaign. Check it out in the featured video. OMG, we were so sexist then.
SUGAR LAND, TX & WILTON, CT: Louis Dreyfus Commodities LLC and Imperial Sugar Company (NASDAQ: IPSU) (“Imperial [...]
WhiteGlove slips on a new CMO
Steve’s breakdown: I’m glad these folks hired a new CMO. Their creative comes no where close to how exciting their products are — if they’re real.
AUSTIN, TX: WhiteGlove Health, Inc., (www.whiteglove.com) today announced the addition of Ragui Selwanes as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this newly created position, [...]
JC Penny CEO takes over CMO duties
Steve’s breakdown: On October 3 we reported Target CMO Departs for JCPenney: No love lost . . . yet. Well, the love that was lost was at JC Penny and with Michael Francis.
Either way, this whole account is up in the air so make your move.
PLANO, TX: J.C. Penney said its head of merchandising and marketing is leaving and Chief Executive [...]
Texas Health Science Center seeks ad & marketing
Steve’s breakdown: All the documentation for this RFP can be downloaded at this page an submissions are due June 29, 2012. The intro duction to this account is below.
TYLER, TX: Description of University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT) is one of six health institutions of the world-renowned University of [...]
Remember the Alamo: Texas Historical Commission seeks marketing services
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s some pertenat information from the RFP: Contract term: The services requested shall be provided for a period of two (2) years and, beginning July 20, 2012, or the last signature date, whichever is later, and ending July 18, 2014. At the sole option of the THC the Contract may be extended as needed, not to [...]
Sprouts merges with Sunflower creating an even bigger Sprout: New store marketing next
Steve’s breakdown: The new company has 144 stores which you can see at the links below. The new entity will be branded under the Sprouts name. The rebranding of the Sunflower stores starts in July so get in there now before they do too much damage!
PHOENIX, AZ & BOULDER CO: Sprouts Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmers Market on Tues [...]
Bain Capital, an IPO and a Stroke: Michaels Stores
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a sticky situation so we’re not advising anyone to pounce on this. But keeping an eye on it would be a good idea because Michael’s is the industry leader. We hope Mr. Menzer comes back with flying colors.
IRVING, TX, Michaels Stores Inc. disclosed that Chief Executive John B. Menzer had a stro [...]
Pollo Tropical & Taco Cabana set free to market themselves
Steve’s breakdown: This news is a double-double. First, last month we reported Pollo Tropical crows about their new CMO and now this spin-off story. Secondly, this news involves two brands, Pollo Tropical & San Antonio, TX based Taco Cabana.
MIAMI, FL & SAN ANTONIO, TX: Pollo Tropical has spread its wings and flown out of the n [...]
State of Arizona seeks agency for the entire state!
Steve’s breakdown: This is the second time Arizona has issued this RFP this year. We reported on it in January with this headline: Arizona needs an Ad Agency. I guess it didn’t work out so well. So here we go again. There is a lot to this account so make sure to read the entire RFP. It can be downloaded here and is due 6/6/12. The [...]
The T issues RFP for marketing services
Steve’s breakdown: The T was created in 1983 as the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, a regional transportation authority of the State of Texas and is not an agency or department of any of its member cities. It provides quality public transportation to meet the mobility needs of Tarrant County and the North Central Texas region.
FOR [...]
Bergdorf Goodman’s new President: “bringing an idea and an ideal to life”
Steve’s breakdown: The new guys’ resume includes Jimmy Choo, Kenneth Cole, Gap, Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci. He may have been around the block but if you have too, a call of congratulations would be a good start.
DALLAS, TX: Karen Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., announced today that J [...]
Texas Health and Human Services Commission Issues RFP
Steve’s breakdown: RFP questions are due by April 10th, RFPs are due the 19th and they expect to award the contract on May 1st. The RFP can be downloaded here =>Package 1
AUSTIN, TX: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors for communications marketing services. This solici [...]
Mass Relevance makes a change at the top: New CMO
Steve’s breakdown: The company has powered the Twitter strategy for some of the biggest events in the world, including the Academy Awards, Grammy’s, NHL Awards, Katy Perry’s California Dreams Tour and The White House Twitter Town Hall. Moreover, the company has been an integral part of some of the largest, most watched medi [...]
Adino Energy brings in Hired Gun to Refocus Marketing/Communications
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s one of those marketing & PR accounts that focused on their shareholders. These types of accounts tend to go for high production values and pay their bills on time. Will there be a pitch for the business? Hard to say but it’s worth a phone call. Go get’em y’all!
HOUSTON, TX: Adino Ene [...]
U.S. Space Tourism: Your Next Fronteir
Steve’s breakdown: Obviously, the exciting part of this news is the tourism aspect but the more immediate market for the ad industry is marketing suborbital spaceflights to research organizations, educational institutes and businesses that want to conduct experiments and fly payloads in space. There are three lead opportunities mentioned in [...]
Phoenix Convention Center Ad Account in Review
Steve’s breakdown: They say the scope of work includes “planning, creative graphic design, and execution of integrated marketing/branding campaigns including advertising, media buying, digital strategies, public relations and research initiatives.”
Here’s Advertising and Marketing Services RFP.
PH [...]
Texas “Have an Exit Strategy” Fire Safty Campaign seeks Ad Agency
Steve’s breakdown: Texans don’t make it easy to read and follow their RFPs but here’s the skinny on this one . The RFP can be downloaded here => Package 1. For all the information go here.
AUSTIN, TX: The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), an agency of the state of Texas, has published its Proprietary Request for Propos [...]
Arizona seeks PR representation in the UK
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s one of those rare accounts that could help you go international. This time it’s PR services in the UK. There are a ton of documents to download and you can find them all at this link.
PHOENIX, AZ: The State of Arizona invites sealed proposals from qualified firms for public relations representation [...]