Hasta La Creative!

After handling advertising and digital work in-house in recent years, TiVo is thinking outside the box, so to speak, and has named Minneapolis-based Olson as its new agency of record for advertising, web, consumer PR (previously handled by Allison + Partners) and social projects. There was a review for the TiVo biz, though no word yet on who else participated.

In a statement, Doug Bieter, TiVo’s VP of consumer sales and marketing says, “We were impressed by the depth and breadth of Olson’s ideas and their ability to seamlessly integrate the multiple aspects of our market differentiation and bold plans for the future. By retaining an agency of Olson’s stature, we are consolidating best-in-class advertising, digital and PR strategies that will be a tremendous asset as we build our brand and spread the word about the distinct value of the TiVo experience.”

According to those in the know, after a bit of a rough patch, TiVo has been on an upswing since last year (check out the brand’s Q4 report for context). Wit the win, Olson, which also picked up AOR duties for Saucony in recent months, is now in the process of developing “a multi-channel brand enhancement effort” for its newest client.

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After spending nearly the last three years at Digital Kitchen Chicago, where he served as executive producer/general manager, Jeff Brecker has moved over to R/GA’s Windy City office to assume the role of managing director. Brecker replaces Sean McCarthy, who parted ways with the agency for the digital age last fall and is now in the same role at Resource Interactive.

Anyhow, the new R/GA Chicago MD has high praise for his new boss Bob Greenberg, saying in a statement that R/GA’s founder “…is one of the greatest visionaries of our time, and it’s an honor to work with and learn from him. R/GA Chicago has a reputation as a high-end digital boutique backed by a global agency leader known for creating progressive digital and social solutions.” Prior to his stint at Digital Kitchen, Brecker served as SVP/creative director at Leo Burnett and has also served as director of interactive production at Ogilvy during his career.

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We suppose it’s safe to call it DigitasLBi now as the agency folks behind the newly merged entity have announced that they’ve found a new North American CEO in Tony Weisman. The new chief exec takes over for his former boss, Colin Kinsella, who spent the last six years within the Publicis Groupe fold, the first three being at Razorfish and the last three serving as president then CEO of the North American region.

Last we recall, Weisman, a six-year Digitas vet himself (and one-time Super Tuesday contributor), was part of the agency’s “realignment” in summer 2010 that resulted in an expansion of his role beyond global client lead/president of the Chicago office to include Boston, Detroit and San Francisco as well. The new DigitasLBi North American CEO will remain in his native Chicago, though, and will report to newly installed DigitasLBi global CEO Luke Taylor, who offers these warm words in a statement:

“Tony blends client business understanding, marketing acumen and instinct. He brings altitude and aptitude to the client-agency relationship that inspires innovation and boldness, and ultimately growth. I am confident that Tony will take the reins of this incredible opportunity with the same infectious energy and foresight that have guided his career.”

Prior to Digitas, Weisman served as CMO at Draftfcb Chicago and spent nearly two decades prior at Leo Burnett.

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You can say it’s been an even-steven sort of 2013 for Philly-based Red Tettemer + Partners, which abruptly lost the Maaco business earlier this year but has now gained a new client in Rekya, the Icelandic vodka brand developed by William Grant & Sons. From what we’ve been told, there was a review, but the other participants have not been disclosed as of yet. Anyhow, RT+P will now handle global creative duties for Reyka, which in the past has worked with shops such as Brooklyn-based Dead As We Kn0w It, though we’re hearing there wasn’t an incumbent in this specific review cycle.

In a statement, Gemma Adams, global brand manager for Reyka, which is also involved in music-themed efforts like this, says, “Our goal is to bring our inventive spirit and great tasting Reyka Vodka to people around the world. We are working with RT+P on creative strategies and activations that will highlight the unique Icelandic spirit of the brand. We’re excited that RT+P have the right chemistry to work with WG&S & the talent to ignite this inventive brand around the world.”

First RT+P efforts for Reyka will launch across trade and consumer touch points this spring. Along with its new vodka client, the agency also works with the likes of Under Armour, Planet Fitness, Right Guard and Century 21.

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As you may have heard by now, Draftfcb has perhaps made George Parker‘s day by finding a replacement for Laurence Boschetto in Carter Murray, a 38-year-old Brit who will now take over as CEO of Draftfcb Worldwide. Murray (pictured), who remains based in NYC, joins DFCB after spending a year-plus as president/CEO of Y&R North America. During his career, the rather young exec spent four years as CMO/worldwide account director on Nestle while at Publicis, where he also served as a member of said agency’s executive committee.

Now, with a little weight off his shoulders perhaps, Michael Roth, chairman/CEO of Draftfcb parent company, IPG, says of his new hire,”We’re very pleased to welcome Carter in this key role at an important time for Draftfcb. He understands consumer advertising and brands, has demonstrated the ability to motivate diverse teams and raise the quality of creative work, nurture client relationships and win global business. This combination of skills and experience in a dynamic new leader is what the agency needs in order to evolve its integrated model and drive growth.”

As for Boschetto, who spent four years at the helm at Draftfcb and will stay on through a transitional period and then serve as a senior advisor to IPG, Roth adds, “We thank Laurence for his contributions to our search for his successor and to the agency, including a consistent and high level of operational and financial delivery. We wish him well in his ongoing industry activity, particularly in the area of diversity and inclusion, where we will continue to work together.”

Though the transition is now underway, Murray’s official start state is still to be determined. Meanwhile, Y&R didn’t wait long to fill the void, having welcomed former VML CEO Matt Anthony as its new North American chief exec. AdAge has the full-court press on all things Murray and his arrival at Draftfcb. Read on.

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Wait, didn’t this just happen, like twice over recently? Well, yes, but R/GA appears to be opening up shop like Barnes & Noble in the late 90s/early aughts, the latest being an L.A. office, which has officially opened its doors just two months after the agency for the digital age settled in Sydney. The new Santa Monica branch marks R/GA’s second California-based space, following San Francisco of course, and currently houses five staffers with seven open positions that are in the process of being filled over the next couple of weeks. According to the IPG agency, the goal is to expand to 30 employees in its first year.

As for leadership, R/GA plucked several staffers from within including a few who worked on Nike business for years such as Tara Greer, ECD, experience design, Mark Laughlin, ECD, visual design, and Luke Stiles, senior technology director. Rounding out the management in the City of Angels are Andy Sullivan, MD/biz dev, senior producer Chris Sullivan and Steve Weinswig, currently VP/managing director at R/GA SF who will pull double-duty for the time being as interim managing director in LA.

In terms of clients, those in the know tell us that the R/GA L.A. crew is “working with an existing client that we aren’t able to disclose right now along with moving forward in some pitch work for clients in the area.”
image via

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Why not wind down the day with a little people news, shall we? Six months after rejoining Carmichael Lynch to assume the role of chief strategy officer, Marcus Fischer is adding president to his title. In turn, Fischer replaces Doug Spong, who isn’t leaving the Minneapolis-based IPG agency but remaining on as managing partner (which he’s been for over two decades) and continuing to serve as president of its PR division, Carmichael Lynch Spong.

As for Fischer, the new Carmichael Lynch prez rejoined said agency last August to serve as its first-ever CSO and subsequently consolidated its research, analytics and media groups into one strategic resource, according to the agency. Prior to CL, he spent four years at fellow Twin Cities shop, space150, last serving as CEO. During his first time out at CL, Fischer spent five years (’03-08) working n the agency’s planning department. Early on in his career, Fischer worked in account planning at Fallon.

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It’s been a few months since we last heard from Possible Worldwide, but it appears that the WPP-owned digital agency has been busy as of late. Not only has Possible launched a new corporate site, but it’s promoted the man who led its development, Jonathan McVey, who now moves up the ranks to global creative officer. McVey, who most recently served as chief creative officer in charge of corporate and U.S. operations, will now (obviously) oversee creative strategy across Possible’s 26 global offices.

Prior to serving as CCO at Possible for the last year, McVey spent well over a decade on the creative side at ZAAZ, which of course was folded into the former a year ago. During his time at Possible, McVey has also overseen the launch of the agency’s CoLab social network.

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–Deutsch L.A. Quickly Finds Richmond’s Replacement

–We Hear: G2 to Detach from Grey, Align with Ogilvy?

–Since Arnold’s at a Loss for Words, Let’s Fill in Blanks Regarding Promotions

–Here’s a Quick TracyLocke Update, from Dallas to SoHo

–Kevin Durant Seduced by Villain’s Role

–Hammond Takes ECD Post at DDB West

–Jim Marcus Out at DDB

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-Boulder-based TDA_ has been appointed as the first-ever agency of record for Burton Snowboards’ non-profit org, The Chill Foundation. Budget was undisclosed, but the new AOR relationship will support online and print advertising. First work, a fundraising-purposed website, breaks this winter. From those in the know, there was no review. Selection was managed by Chill exec director,  June Heston.

-WPP did ok for itself in 2012, gaining 8.3 percent in profit, pre-tax that is, year-to-year. link

-215mccann has launched some new work for Annie’s Homegrown (above). link

-FYI, all Shorty Awards entries must be completed by Tuesday, March 5, at 5pm EST. link

-Burlington, Vermont-based marketing firm  Kelliher Samets Volk has promoted David Coats to partner.

-Good luck with all that, ex-Groupon CEO, Andrew Mason. link

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