Hasta La Creative!

A pair of former Grey executives — Rob Baiocco and Maureen Maldari — officially launched The BAM Connection today in Brooklyn with “the tenacious pursuit of creativity through simplicity” as their mission statement. Located at 20 Jay Street, in the middle of the tech mecca Dumbo, The BAM Connection launches with a list of clients that includes Terlato Wines, The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Wrangler Western Jeans, and will also be an active member of The Ad Council.

“The world of marketing is way overcomplicated,” explains Baiocco. “And all that complexity sucks the life out of ideas, gets in the way of speed, and strangles creativity. Simplicity liberates creativity. And from there, the ideas just explode outward.”

“When you’ve lived, and fought that complexity everyday, you know how to eliminate it,” added Maldari. “And I’ve gotta believe clients will rejoice because they must be exhausted by it.”

The BAM Connection hinges their approach on what they call “The One Shot Answer,” which they define as “one short, compelling phrase that nails your brand meaning, then directs and connects all your communications.” Baiocco and Maldari think the approach will appeal to those growing tired of the traditional agency model. (more…)

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Infiniti Motor Co. will meet (or has already met) with seven agencies before selecting finalists to pitch for its global creative account, Adweek reports.

The meetings took place this week, and leave Infiniti “on track to complete its search by August,” according to Adweek. Infiniti’s initial request for proposal reported that the brand spends approximately $450 million annually. Among the agencies in the running are Publicis, FCB, Havas Worldwide (pitching with sister shop Arnold), Bartle Bogle Hegarty, M&C Saatchi and Crispin Porter + Bogusky, according to Adweek‘s sources. Interestingly, also pitching is Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, partnering with incumbent Omnicom agency TBWA. After the initial meetings, Infiniti will narrow the field to three or four agencies, a cut that “could come as soon as next week.” Infiniti’s RFP noted that “alternative approaches are paramount as Infiniti cannot outspend its competitors in broadcast,” and identified the U.S., China and Hong Kong as priority markets.

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Earlier this week, Toyota announced the consumer release of a new Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle in Japan, the U.S. and Europe slated for 2015. Now, AdAge reports, Toyota has chosen New York agency Droga5 for the car’s pre-launch campaign.

The move marks the first auto marketer on Droga5?s roster. Although Saatchi & Saatchi LA is Toyota’s agency of record, the company looked to other agencies for new ideas for the breakthrough vehicle. “We approached Droga5 to give us some ideas, and they came back with something that blew us out of the water, said Kimberley Gardiner, director-digital marketing strategy for Toyota Motor Sales USA. “It ended up being a full campaign pre-launch proposal.”

“The opportunity was very much in our wheelhouse,” Droga5 Creative Chairman David Droga said. “If you get a call from Toyota asking, ‘Do you want to help launch the new generation of vehicles?,’ that’s about as juicy an opportunity as you can get, so we took that very seriously, and here we are. It’s very validating to have a chance to work with a brand like this.”

Gardiner didn’t reveal any details about the campaign, but, according to AdAge,”pre-launch will begin in the coming months, rolling out initially in the U.S. in digital and non-traditional media” and will last from 12-18 months.

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DDB New York has named Chris Brown as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding Peter Hempel, “who shifts to the new role of CEO of DDB Group, a larger collection of agencies that includes DDB, Tribal, DDB Remedy and Uproar@DDB,” Adweek reports. Hempel has held the role of DDB New York CEO since 2005

Brown will begin his new position in September, departing from his role as Australian CEO of DDB Group, which he has held since 2012. Prior to that, Brown served as group managing director at DDB Group Sydney and started out at DDB back in 1997 as business director of DDB London. As president and CEO of the New York office, he will oversee work on such accounts as Johnson & Johnson, ExxonMobil, Unilever,Electrolux, New York Lottery,  Merck, and Cotton.

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Integrated creative company Brand New School has expanded its directorial roster with the addition of acclaimed British director Ahmet Ahmet (pictured). Ahmet has worked with brands including Mercedes, BMW, Nike, Honda, and Apple, drawing from his background as an award-winning designer. He began his career as a BBC director, before moving to Los Angeles to work as a creative director for Imaginary Forces, later moving to Prologue before becoming an independent director.

“For years, Ahmet’s work has stood out to me – perfectly blending elegant design and live action,” said Brand New School Managing Partner Devin Brook. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome Ahmet to Brand New School, and look forward to collaborating with such a visionary creator.”

In other news, leading editorial house Rock Paper Scissors has announced the return of Dave Sellars as an executive producer. The UK native ”came to the United States in 1994 for a vacation and never went home.” He started his career at Rock Paper Scissors in 1997 and returns to the company with  with extensive post-production experience working with brands such as Apple, Target, Nike, Coca-Cola, Gap, Calvin Klein, and Xbox.

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The “agency for the digital” has announced that it’s accepting applications for the second round of its “Accelerator” program, an initiative that’s run out of its R/GA Ventures unit, which is focused not only on integration of design, technology and innovation but enabling startups and doling out investment funds. For its second Accelerator program, R/GA, with the aid of TechStars, is turning the spotlight on to n the Internet of Things (IoT) and Connected Devices space and is looking for applicants ranging from early prototype developers to startups with traction.

In a statement, R/GA boss Bob Greenberg says, ““The power of internet software continues to disrupt industries as it spreads beyond the web and mobile and into devices, machines, and physical environments. For companies to succeed, whether in the consumer or B2B space, they have to create truly innovative technology solutions. However, great technology is not enough. Companies must also create elegant and cohesive user experiences across digital and physical touchpoints, in addition to compelling brands that consumers will care about.”

Those applicants that make the grade will have access to a range of R/GA services, including strategic design, branding, and technology, startups as well as network of senior clients from the likes of Nike, Samsung and Beats by Dr. Dre. In addition, startups that enter the Accelerator program will be eligible to receive up to $120,000 in funding for their brainchild. The application process for Accelerator, which this time enlists the services of industrial design outfit ASTRO Studios, begins today and runs through Aug. 25. Those that make the cut will be notified by Sept. 22 and the program itself kicks off on Oct. 20. You can keep up to date on the project here. Best of luck, folks.

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–ADT Leaves Non-Secure Relationship with Arnold After Less Than a Year

–Fake Grey Poupon Spot Is Fake

–Cuts at StrawberryFrog New York

–W+K Portland Takes Terry Crews, Old Spice to the Next Level of Craziness

–Grey Asks ‘Why Women Are Always Apologizing?’ for Pantene

–TBWA’s Latest for iPhone 5S Features Unusual Song Choice

–STUDY: Trust Is Missing in Agency-Client Relationships

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The U.S. operations of U.K.-based communications company Engine has acquired The Intelligence Group, a consumer insights/consulting firm focused on young consumers that was previously owned by Creative Artists Agency. With the purchase from CAA complete, Engine USA is moving quickly as it’s now merged IG with another one of its units, creative agency Noise, a 10-year-old operation that has worked with clients ranging from Unilever and Chase to Vitaminwater and Vice. As a result of the alignment, the new Noise will house over 100 employees in L.A., S.F. and NYC and will focus on connecting brands with Millennials via everything from digital marketing and product development to research and strategy.

Regarding his company’s move, Engine USA president John Bernbach says in a statement, “It seems clear the marketplace is ripe for a comprehensive agency offering that combines research-driven insights and strategy with stellar creative execution and deep digital acumen to help brands engage with Millennial consumers more effectively. We believe the new Noise is just that.”

As far as leadership is concerned with the new, combined entity, which will continue on as Noise, IG president Joe Kessler has been named president/CEO, Noise co-founder/former CEO Noah Kerner becomes non-executive chairman/advisor and Jamie Gutfreund, previously chief strategy officer at IG, assumes the new role of chief marketing officer.  Meanwhile, all other Noise and IG executives will remain in their current positions.  You can find our more about the new Noise here.

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“Cramer-Krasselt did not fire us,” Panera Bread Chief Marketing Officer Michael Simon told AdAge yesterday, referring to the leaked internal memo stating the agency had resigned from Panera Bread. Instead, Simon claims, “We told them we were going to open it up for review, and they decided not to participate.”

According to Simon, Panera had been reevaluating its marketing strategy due to weakening sales. AdAge writes that the company “had been pushing the agency to bring the advertising to the next level over the last couple months” but that while Cramer-Krasselt had been producing new work, Simon said the ads “weren’t breakthrough enough.” When Panera Bread told Cramer-Krasselt they were opening things up for a review, the agency declined to participate.

“We had a good relationship with the team [at Cramer-Krasselt]. And the work was good, but we were aspiring for great,” said Simon. “We told them we wanted to get more folks in the room and solicit new ideas from them…but incumbent agencies get reticent about bringing in new agencies.”

The review is reportedly underway, with eight undisclosed agencies involved. No request for proposal has been issued yet, as AdAge reports “the next step is to hold chemistry meetings, followed by an assignment for some of the shops.” The review, which will be conducted internally, is expected to last six or seven weeks.

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Production company ModOp Films has signed veteran independent short film director Wendy McColm to its directorial roster.

McColm is known for her YouTube channel featuring her own short works, and her acting roles on Hey Girl, Community, and How I Met Your Mother, as well as performing with Upright Citizens Brigade. She recently directed a branded short for H&M ?Rendezvous and Other Stories? starring French blogger Jeanne Damas, which screened at this year?’s Tribeca Film Festival.

“I’?ve basically spent the last eight years making things I like, exploring topics and genres, and giving myself creative challenges,”? explains McColm. “?After the H&M project I knew I wanted to do more brand work. I love the fact ModOp Films is all about being open to creative exploration and how best to apply the work to the intended audience. We connected immediately.?”

“We are excited to work with Wendy on advertising projects, from commercials to web,?” said EP Rossi Cannon. ?”Wendy McColm is an amazing talent and knows how to cultivate a following for her work in a way that is unpretentious, authentic and incredibly infectious.?”

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