Momvertising Opps: Target launches first-ever private label kitchen line, increases digital spend (Score 61)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales Lead: Don't worry, this isn't a Figmint of your imagination; Target recently introduced a new brand, Figmint. The brand includes products such as cast iron Dutch ovens, mixing bowls, food storage, kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and cutting boards. It is Target's first private label kitchen brand. Figmint's products are centered around sustainability, which appeals to cause-oriented audiences. More than 95% of t​​​​​he brand's product packaging doesn't contain plastic ...

Campaign Imminent: Gannett expands relationship with agency partner (Score 77)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales Lead: Gannett recently expanded its partnership with Taboola by adding five years to its established 10-year contract. Gannett can now test the agency's services such as Homepage For You, an AI platform that powers publisher homepages' editorial recommends, and Taboola Turnkey, through which premium publishers can create trustworthy, helpful content. These services will support Reviewed, Gannett's consumer product review site. Gannet started utilizing Taboola Feed, which perso...

BFY Millennial Parents Opps: Goodles completes funding round, hires first CMO (Score 52)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: Reach out now to help this new, better-for-you brand build initial awareness.  Goodles just secured $13m in a Series A funding round. The company plans on using these funds to build out its leadership team and ramp up US production.  This includes the recent promotion of Stacie Hadjuk to CMO.  Hadjuck was an independent marketing consultant prior to joining the company as a marketing growth strategist.  Target demographic: Millennial parents seeking healthy meals ...

Male Gen-X, Millennial Opps: Lincoln promotes top marketer (Score 50)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: This promotion will affect the brand's ad spend & agency roster.  Lincoln promoted Heidi Shaffer to NA director, the brand's top marketing position.  Shaffer most recently served as GM of Lincoln's parent company, Ford.  She is now responsible for marketing, sales, & service.  Target demographic: Gen-X & millennials with a male skew The brand will likely: Continue moving ad dollars from TV to digital Review the current agency roster Experiment with new ...

Shoney's taps full-service AOR (Score 23)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: This appointment will likely lead to higher ad spending, so reach out now to offer ad space.  Shoney's named Bernstein-Rein its full-service AOR in September 2023.  The agency is tasked with leading brand, creative strategy, media, and local restaurant marketing.  This replaces incumbent shop Tombras.  Target demographic: Gen-Xers The company will likely: Significantly increase ad spend Experiment with different ad channels Launch an ad campaign Di...

Millennial, Gen-X Opps: United Airlines launches campaign amid spend increases (Score 55)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: This company has been increasing ad spend and the campaign launch signals this trend will continue. United Airlines (UA) launched an educational campaign featuring its chief trash officer, Oscar the Grouch.  The company is promoting its investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which is an alternative to traditional jet fuel.  The push will be supported across digital, social, and OOH.  UA's AOR, 72andSunny, handled creative duties.  Target demographic: Millennials...

Midtown Athletic Clubs promotes top marketer (Score 43)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: This promotion will affect the company's marketing strategy & agency roster.  Midtown Athletic Clubs (MAC) promoted Alex Schwartz to CMO earlier this year. Schwartz joined the company in 2018 and was promoted to marketing VP in 2021.  He also brings agency experience having spent time with Night Agency, Johannes Leonardo, and Alexander Agency.  Target demographic: Millennials The company will likely: Increase digital spend Diversify ad placement Build o...

Female Millennial, Gen-X Opps: Sephora announces CEO succession plan (Score 65)
Sep 28, 2023

Sales lead: This transition will affect the company's marketing strategy & could lead to agency reviews.  Sephora promoted Artemis Patrick to NA CEO, effective April 2024. The current CEO, Jean-Andre Rougeot, is retiring but will stay on until April to train Patrick. Patrick has been with Sephora since 2006 and currently serves as global chief merchandising officer.  As CEO, Patrick will be responsible for stores, eCommerce, marketing, tech, strategy, and supply chain.  We told ...

Gen-Z, Millennial Opps: Jack In The Box opens first drive-thru-only restaurant, launches new product (Score 32)
Sep 27, 2023

Sales Lead: Jack in the Box recently debuted its first-ever drive-thru-only location and a new munchie sauce. The company opened the first location of this kind in Ogden, UT, and will open more by the end of the year. Jack has been strongly focused on UT, having just launched in Salt Lake City - the company's first new market entry in over a decade. The new location features Jack's dynamic new CRAVED image, which consists of new packaging color, signage, and imagery, per Tim ...

Campaign Imminent: Kraft Heinz taps new media AOR (Score 55)
Sep 27, 2023

Sales Lead: Kraft Heinz (KH) recently awarded its US media account to Carat, concluding a review. Carat has handled media work for KH in regions outside of the US in the past, but this expands its remit to include the US, which is KH's largest region by spending. The shift replaces Publicis's Starcom, which held the business for about five years and retained its US remit after KH's last review in 2020. I predicted an agency review would kick off close to the departure of now-former ...