Love ketchup? Love ketchup enough to paint your walls with the tasty color? Heinz and Lick think you will. Heinz Tomato Ketchup enthusiasts now have the opportunity to bring the iconic red color of their favorite condiment into their homes. The Chicago-based brand, in partnership with home decor site Lick, has introduced “Red HTK 57,” … Continue reading “Heinz Ketchup and Lick paint Chicago red”
Screenvision Media, a national leader in cinema and premium video advertising, announced State Farm and Kraft Heinz as the sole sponsors of its summer drive-in movie series. Screenvision’s drive-in advertising network spans 200 theaters, the largest in the country. “Drive-in theaters are experiencing a revival, providing movie lovers with both a sense of normalcy … Continue reading “State Farm & Kraft Heinz sponsor Drive-in movies”
Bored of board games? Heinz, the maker of America’s favorite ketchup, is swooping in to save people from playing the same board games over and over. The brand recently released a limited number of all-ketchup, 570-piece red puzzles to help fans around the world pass the time. It’s like ketchup spilled all over your table… … Continue reading “Heinz releases a ketchup-inspired puzzle”
Who doesn’t love a diner? Especially if it’s a greaZy diner cheeseburger (with iceberg lettuce, white onions) and fries. They are the best. And the ketchup that is always there to go on said burger – Heinz. These are staples of Americana. And nothing is more Americana and sacred than a diner. Today, the 150-year-old brand … Continue reading “Heinz commits $1m in grants for diner initiative”
There’s a scene in Dirty Harry where Clint Eastwood berates his partner for doing the sin of sins — putting ketchup on his hotdog.
“Nobody puts ketchup on a hotdog,” is a truism shared by every true hotdog-eating, Cubs and Whitesox loving/hating Chicagoan.
But what about “Dog Sauce?”
Just in time for #NationalHotDogDay, Heinz has unveiled a Dog Sauce exclusively for Chicagoans.
Ingredients of the Dog Sauce include red ripe tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a blend of spices and flavorings.
Yeah… Ketchup. Suckas.
IN TUESDAY’S COLUMN I cheerfully wrote that it was good news for local production companies that Kraft Heinz’ forthcoming new agency would not be handling production, which will be outsourced to production houses.
The Laughing Cow is ushering in the fall season with a fresh twist on their iconic branding. This autumn, consumers can expect to see vibrant, limited-edition packaging that draws inspiration from recognizable pop culture designs. What’s more, this unique packaging features a special QR code that opens the door to ‘The Laughing Contract’ sweepstakes, an … Continue reading “Laughing Cow unveils Laughing Contract Sweepstakes”
The AICP Awards released the Shortlists for the 2023 editions of its three competitions: The AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the Commercial, the AICP Next Awards and the AICP Post Awards. To review the full Shortlist for each competition see tables below. The Shortlists are the results of a bifurcated judging system that began … Continue reading “AICP releases 2023 Shortlists for AICP Next and AICP Post Awards”
Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), the fast-growing farmer-owned dairy co-op, has announced its selection of Leo Burnett, leading advertising agency within Publicis Groupe, as its lead creative agency, following a rigorous and highly competitive review process led by ARK Advisors. Leo Burnett will spearhead the development of a new brand strategy and distinctive creative platform to drive brand awareness … Continue reading “Tillamook County Creamery selects Leo Burnett Chicago as its AOR”
The Chicago advertising family was hit with a loss as news spread this morning of the passing of Louis Slotkin, the beloved co-owner and managing partner of Highdive. Slotkin died on March 31 after losing a battle with colon cancer. He was 51. Slotkin’s remarkable 25-plus year marketing career took him around the world … Continue reading “Highdive managing partner Louis Slotkin dies at 51”
Lunchables latest execution in the ‘Lunchabuild This’ effort invites parents to submit kids’ creations in spots featuring TikTok star Boman as a pretentious art critic. Sitting on the pedestal in a contemporary, all-white art gallery is a sculpture of a small locomotive engine; the media used isn’t stone or bronze but crackers, cheese and cold … Continue reading “Quriosity servers up laughs in new Lunchables Instagram campaign”
Over the past few years, the world has been on autopilot. Many consumers have forgotten what it feels like to, well, feel. Philadelphia cream cheese, a Kraft Heinz Company brand, is interrupting life’s cruise control by opening a multisensorial dining concept, Feeladelphia by Philadelphia cream cheese, where you don’t order food, you order feelings. In addition to … Continue reading “Philadelphia cream cheese announces Feeladelphia dining experience”
Oops. As more and more brands are beginning to react to last week’s Scotus leak, which clearly shows the highest court in the land leaning toward ending Roe v. Wade one year before its 50th anniversary, Zeno Group, a part of Edelman Holdings, has been caught advising its clients to avoid taking a stand on … Continue reading “Edelman sister agency advises clients to avoid statements on Roe v. Wade”
The International ANDY Awards has unveiled this year’s winners and for the first time an independent creative agency, Canada’s Rethink, received the competition’s highest honor, a GRANDY, for its work for Kraft Heinz Canada. The best in show kudo–which shines a light on the power of the idea and the execution of craft–was bestowed upon … Continue reading “Leo Burnett Chicago and FCB Chicago among wins at ANDY Awards”
Banner expands roster and capabilities with additions to production and post production teams. The crew at Chicago-based digital content studio, Banner is growing with the additions of Luke Pollard a Senior Artist, Mo’Tastem Awad an award winning Filmmaker and Director of Photography, Chris Scudder an Editor, and Justine Burchall a Cinematographer and Editor. Luke Pollard … Continue reading “Banner expands their roster and capabilities with new hires”
Foodies and music-lovers alike have been dancing in their kitchens to the new Kraft Singles single, Square It since it launched across streaming platforms a week ago. Now, the brand is excited to share the music video for the single. The music video was directed by Sammy Rawal and features dancer Honey Balenciaga cooking and dancing in the kitchen to the … Continue reading “Kraft Singles launches Square It music video for their singles single”
OKRP is expanding its strategy department with the addition of agency veteran Kevin Lilly who is joining the agency in the new role as Head of Strategy. He will report to Nate Swift, Chief Strategy Officer at the agency. Lilly was most recently EVP, Strategy Director at Leo Burnett, where he spent the past 10 … Continue reading “Kevin Lilly joins ORKP as Head of Strategy”
In response to Heinz Ketchup’s recent petition asking for bun and hot dog companies to come together with same-count packaging, iconic poppy seed bun maker, S. Rosen’s is taking a “hot dog” stand to gently remind the tomato condiment manufacturer how they already solved the mismatch in 2005. Citing the trademarked “Piece Treaty of 2005, Every Bun … Continue reading “Every bun has its dog”
FCB Chicago received eight One Show Gold Pencils this year. They include four Golds with FCBX, Lord + Thomas and Current Global, all in Chicago, for the City of Chicago “Boards of Change” (three in Design, one in Digital Craft), three with FCB New York, Lord + Thomas, and Myles Beeson, both in Chicago, for Michelob ULTRA “Contract for Change” in Integrated, … Continue reading “One Show: FCB Chicago wins eight Gold Pencils”
The Andy Awards announced their winners on April 12 and Leo Burnett, DDB Chicago and FCB Chicago represented the windy city for their work on Kraft Heinz Country Time, Miller Lite and Coors Light respectively. Burnett The Chicago office took home an Idea Andy for their work on Country Time Lemonade’s Littlest Bailout. , which … Continue reading “Burnett, DDB, FCB represent Chicago at Andy Awards”
The 56th Chicago International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running competitive film festival, this morning announced the winners of its 2020 competition. In a virtual ceremony live-streamed on YouTube, prizes were awarded to films in the following categories: International Feature Film Competition; New Directors Competition; International Documentary Competition; Out-Look Competition; and Short Film Competition. The Chicago Award and the Roger Ebert Award were … Continue reading “CIFF announces the winners of its 2020 competition”
Connect with the artists and filmmakers of the Chicago International Film Festival with these livestream Q&As. Livestream Q&As will be hosted on the film’s webpage on our streaming portal. Ticket holders can access the Q&A through the virtual access link emailed with their ticket purchase. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the event. … Continue reading “Chicago International Film Festival livestream Q&As”
To help the smallest of small businesses, kids’ lemonade stands, Country Time is launching the Littlest Bailout Relief Fund, a fund to send stimulus checks to kids who had to close their lemonade stands due to COVID-19. It’s summer and that means lemonade season, but this summer things are looking a bit dry. Lemonade stands across the … Continue reading “Country Time’s ‘Littlest Bailout’ for kid’s lemonade stands”
Since outgrowing their current space in the West Loop, creative technology agency NEXT/NOW has recommitted to the area by signing a lease for a nearby office twice the size that will contain, among other things, a customized showroom of its experiences where visitors can have “a play day.” “The West Loop has been a good … Continue reading “Fast-growing NEXT/NOW doubles down in West Loop”
Jennifer Zimmerman, Global Chief Strategy officer at mcgarrybowen, today announced changes in the agency’s U.S. strategic leadership. Jamie Shuttleworth has been promoted from Chief Strategy Officer of the Chicago office to U.S. Chief Strategy Officer and will have responsibility for leading strategy across the agency’s U.S. presence, currently with offices in New York, Chicago, and … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen announces new US strategic leadership”
Lizette Williams, Senior Director, Brand & Content Strategy, U.S. Marketing, is the third honoree to be featured in the 2020 edition of Reel Chicago Black List, an annual celebration of African-American creativity published during Black History Month. She joins an esteemed group of artists, entrepreneurs and innovators that includes ‘The Chi’ cast member LaDonna Tittle, … Continue reading “Lizette Williams, Sr. Director, McDonald’s U.S. Marketing”
Nation’s second-largest brewer intends to diversify, accelerate, and reduce expenses by moving to The Windy City Intending to reduce expenses by $150 million, brewer Molson Coors announced last week that it will move its headquarters from Denver to Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. The relocation is prompted in part by an industry-wide 5% decline … Continue reading “Molson Coors moving HQ to Chicago”
‘3 PM Slump’ delivers the kind of quick humor that is destined for internet memehood Office workers succumb to a corporate form of zombification in Slump, a new spot by mcgarrybowen for P3 Portable Protein Packs. Stricken by the energy sapping late afternoon, they drop like dominoes in the elevator, at their desks, and all … Continue reading “mcgarry creates instant classic with new P3 campaign”
New team member brings a knack for “giant, high-concept stage spectaculars and hypnotic visuals” to the agency’s world-class expertise NEXT/NOW has hired Dave Najarian to lead their growing experiential art team as Experiential Art Director. A veteran of live event video design and production, Najarian has designed for and toured the world with EDM and … Continue reading “NEXT/NOW hires Najarian as Experiential Art Director”
“To help our clients win, we need to make sure our leadership team is the best in the business.” – Norm Bilow, Escape Pod Big moves are happening at indie agency The Escape Pod. The agency announced its new leadership team. This news includes Derek Sherman who has been appointed Executive Creative Director, Tyler Moore … Continue reading “The Escape Pod unveils new leadership team”
Jared Stabiner, Cameron King join the growing Chicago-based experiential tech and interactive agency Award winning experiential technology agency NEXT/NOW — known for creating original AR/VR, Touch, Gesture, Motion Tracking, and Projection mapping content and software — has recently added agency veterans Jared Stabiner and Cameron King to continue to expand their growing national initiatives. … Continue reading “NEXT/NOW expands business development team”
mcgarrybowen helps legendary spokes-pitcher break through a giant wall of ice and snow in new video As the world prepares for the epic final showdown of fire and ice, Kool-Aid Man is preparing for an epic showdown of his own — with a giant wall made of ice and snow. A video of the legendary … Continue reading “Kool-Aid Man Krashes epic video premiere”
The April 1 rollout of Kraft’s new “mixed-up” sandwich-building breakfast item launched rumors across the web When Kraft shared a teaser of its new Brunchables item via Twitter on April 1, people immediately began wondering if it was an April Fool’s joke. The activity was part of a social campaign by Kraft and mcgarrybowen that … Continue reading “mcgarry helps Brunchables fool the internet”
NUT-rition teams up with Laura Dern, mcgarrybowen, Whitehouse, and Another Country to shine a light on pay inequality on National Equal Pay Day NUT-rition is a brand that believes women should demand more — more from their snacks and more from their lives. But women today face bigger issues than finding the right snack. On … Continue reading “Kraft puts gender pay gap into nut bags”
The former Kraft Heinz Senior Vice President inherits a portfolio of brands from the nation’s second-largest brewer MillerCoors has named Kraft Heinz executive Michelle St. Jacques as its new chief marketing officer, the first woman to ever hold the role. St. Jacques was most recently senior vice president and global head of brands and capabilities … Continue reading “MillerCoors taps Michelle St. Jacques as new CMO”
“Some may say our new commercial is too hot for TV. We’ll let the audience decide.” Katy Marshall, Springboard The Reel Chicago team was not going to post anymore today, but that was before we came across the Devour Super Bowl spot. The 3-year-old disruptive frozen food brand, which is owned by Chicago- and Pittsburgh-based … Continue reading “Watch Devour’s racy food porn Super Bowl spot”
The Chicago shop captures the legendary rapper and the iconic pitcher at their holiday best in the new anthem, “All I Really Want For Christmas” In a new spot by mcgarrybown, Kool-Aid Man and Lil Jon unleash a musical collaboration that is well on its way to becoming a Yuletide classic. All I Really Want … Continue reading “mb, Lil Jon, and Kool-Aid man make Yuletide history”
Grillo joins from Droga5 in new role to oversee mb’s New York, Chicago and San Francisco operations (New York — 6 December 2018) Pat Lafferty, U.S. President, mcgarrybowen (mb), announced today that Lucia Grillo has been named as the agency’s U.S. Head of Operations. Grillo joins the Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) agency from Droga5. In … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen names Lucia Grillo as Head of U.S. Op’s”
Kraft Mac & Cheese launched a preemptive strike against all the weird foods we eat on Thanksgiving How was your Thanksgiving? The Reel Chicago team is still recovering from fried turkey and lots of nuts, but we did manage to check out some spots and videos that caught our attention. This one from Kraft Heinz … Continue reading “Leo and Kraft are thankful for Mac & Cheese”
Industry vet returns to the town where he launched his career and became one of Michigan Avenue’s youngest VPs Executive Creative Director Aaron Evanson is returning to Chicago, the city where his career began, after working at in VMLY&R Kansas City, one of the agency’s principal offices. Formed in September 2018, VMLY&R is the union … Continue reading “VMLY&R brings ECD Aaron Evanson back to Chicago”
Tricia Russo named Chief Strategy Officer at DDB Chicago Susie Lyons hired as Head of Strategy at DDB New York (Chicago — 20 September 2018) Omnicom Group’s DDB North America hired industry veterans Susie Lyons and Tricia Russo to top leadership roles. The move complements substantial growth, key new business wins, and creative accolades for … Continue reading “DDB adds Lyons and Russo for top US strategy roles”
Ian joins mb from Droga5 to lead creative at the New York flagship for clients including United Airlines, Subway, and Verizon (New York — 5 September 2018) Ned Crowley, U.S. Chief Creative Officer, mcgarrybowen (mb), announced today that Matt Ian has been named Chief Creative Officer for its New York flagship office. Ian will lead … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen NY names Matt Ian Chief Creative Officer”
CCO Toygar Bazarkaya credits the agency’s non-traditional, collaborative model for helping to fuel its continuing growth and success (Chicago — 31 July 2018) We Are Unlimited, part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), announced today that four new creatives have joined the agency’s growing team. Globally experienced Cristina “Tin” Sanchez joins as Group Creative Director, … Continue reading “We Are Unlimited expands creative team”
After 100 years of making bacon and hot dogs, Oscar Mayer is paving the way in the burgeoning cryptocurrency landscape by introducing “Bacoin,” the first-ever cryptocurrency backed by the gold standard of Oscar Mayer Bacon. Last week, the cold cuts and meat company announced it is giving away a limited amount of Bacoin that fans … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen mints cryptocurrency backed by bacon”
In 2017, we launched Reel Ad of the Week (RAW), a regular feature that showcases the commercials coming out of the Midwest and, perhaps more importantly, celebrates the people who get it done. When Reel Chicago expanded to cover agencies in LA, so did the content of RAW. In no particular order, here are a … Continue reading “Best of “Reel Ad of the Week””
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or whatever you identify with came early for mcgarrybowen as Chief Creative Officer, Kurt Fries, posted on Linkedin that the agency had won The Planters Peanuts account from Leo Burnett. An agency spokeswoman confirmed the move to the Reel this afternoon. Mcgarrybowen President Laurel Flatt was clearly happy with the decision. “This … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen goes nuts for Planters”
Today, The Midwest Independent Film Festival announced their nominees for The Best of the Midwest Awards Celebration, which recognizes the premier films and filmmakers featured throughout the 2017 season at the Midwest Independent Film Festival. The BMA nominees Best Music Video: HOT SHIT, directed by Andre Muir for Towkio LSD, … Continue reading “Best of the Midwest Awards, VML, Huge Detroit news”
There is no doubt that reality TV sells. But, if I’m being honest here, advertising has not done a really good job at mimicking “reality-like” situations when it comes to spots. Many times they feel forced. However, Leo Burnett has succeeded thoroughly with a new Capri Sun campaign starring Grammy-winning singer/songwriter John Legend. With a … Continue reading “Burnett makes Capri Sun “Legendary””
St. Louis agency, Rodgers Townsend announced today the appointment of Andrew Dauska as Chief Executive Officer.
Effective August 30, Dauska will partner with Michael McCormick, EVP and Chief Creative Officer, taking over from Tim Rodgers, one of the agency’s two founders, as he enters retirement.
Dauska leaves TBWA\Chiat\Day, where he served as Managing Director and lead client partner for Nissan North America.
Boutique start-up Highdive, launched last year by former DDB creatives Mark Gross and Chad Broude, announced its first new project-based assignments.
The shop is set to promote Barilla’s new Ready Pasta and Marriott Signature’s new EMC2 hotel in DTC as well as unspecified “initiatives” for home loan brand Guaranteed Rate.
(Cannes, France — 22 June 2017) FCB took home three more Silver Lions and two Bronze on the third night of the Cannes Lions festival. There were five award ceremonies held in – Entertainment, Entertainment for Music, Design, Media and Product Design.
On day two of Cannes, Lions were awarded in Cyber, Direct, Mobile, Innovation and Creative Data.
DigitasLBI brought home the Grand Prix in the Creative Data Category for Whirlpool.
Liz Taylor’s FCB again made a showing for Archer+Wolf, taking a Silver Lion in Direct.
(Cannes, France — 19 June, 2017) Even though McCann New York’s Fearless Girl was the big winner on the first night of the Cannes Lions Festival, Chicago agencies did manage to come home with lions as well. FCB Chicago, BBDO Chicago, DigitasLBI, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and Mather and Lapiz won lions in the categories of: Glass, Outdoor, PR, Promo & Activation and Print & Publishing. Below, see every Lion won by U.S. agencies on the night.
Adweek reports that Chicago-based Arc Worldwide, the shopper marketing division of Leo Burnett Group, has announced plans to expand its presence by opening new offices in New York and Northwest Arkansas and adding new names to its leadership team.
According to the article, this expansion as an attempt to make the most of recent new business wins and to promote the network’s newly unveiled positioning, “Irresistible Commerce.”
Hot on the heels of Kraft Heinz’s removal of all questionable ingredients from their Oscar Mayer hot dog line — including nitrates, nitrites, by-products and other artificial preservatives — the food giant has launched a new ad campaign via mcgarrybowen, Chicago.
The goal: to get every American, from coast-to-coast, to try their new signature product. Dubbed For the Love of Hot Dogs, the campaign, which began May 1, was developed to reignite interest in the official food of summer.
Upshot, the 22-year old “seamless agency” with 170 staffers, has been acquired by promotions, experiential and multicultural Advantage Solutions of Irvine, Calif.
GREENHOUSE, Leo Burnett’s nimble, in-house digital studio is now an official agency offering, having been formed earlier “to meet the demand of content production across a brand’s digital channels.”
As of Monday, April 28, Audio Producers Group (APG) will conduct its first session in a studio across the street from the Leo Burnett building, after four years as an outside-operated, in-house production service within the Burnett agency.
Partners Mindy Verson and David Kaplan purchased a new, 1,500-sq. ft. condo at 200 N. Dearborn, a 309-unit building recently converted to condos from rentals by American Invsco.
APG offers voicecasting, Verson’s expertise, voice recording, sound design, sound effects and manipulation, digital sound mixing and duplication.
THE TAX EXTENSION IS ON ITS WAY! The Illinois House voted 107-7 to extend Illinois’ generous 20% tax credits. The bill was introduced to the House by speaker Michael Madigan .
From there, the bill goes to the Senate and wends its way through committes and ultimately to the Senate floor for a vote ? assuming all goes according to plan. It’s difficult to say when to pop corks — everyone’s hoping before the end of the month — so stay tuned.
Lakeshore Productions’ internationally-flavored feature “Wicker Park” has opened in theatres to lukewarm reviews. The movie is an adaptation of a French screenplay originally set in Paris, but relocated to Chicago. It was written by a Hollywood screenwriter, shot in Montreal with an American-Australian-German cast and directed by a Scot. The movie shot in the real Wicker Park for five days last spring.
Don’t throw away your junk just yet.
Chicago boasts one of the biggest and most vibrant independent film scenes in America, in terms of both production and outlets. To prove the point, Chicago is experiencing a boom in non-traditional screening series.
In addition to a growing roster of annual film festivals, established and fledgling organizations host screenings scattered around the city at theatres, nightclubs and other venues.
At a time lately when “pulling back” is more often heard than “capital expansion,” Film & Tape Works’ announcement of a major equipment investment and a general growth was both startling and welcome news.
The production/post facility took delivery on a $500,000 daVinci 2K Plus and a $250,000 Avid DS Nitris, both first and exclusive in Chicago and the Midwest.
The total $750,000 purchase “represents our company’s ability to be a nimble and technologically advanced company,” said FTW’s executive producer Adam Marton.
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| 90/94 Pictures partners (from left) Henzel Francisco, John Heinze, Chad Larys, Kevin Bruce, Matthew Heinze, and Joe Mocarski. |
KGB Agent 57 Productions is putting their lab coats on the auction block and starting over.
