THE BAD NEWS. McGarryBowen lost its Pizza Hut business to Deutsch Los Angeles this week after having had it for only 10 months. Deutsch immediately takes over the account.
“We got a lot accomplished with McGarryBowen and change is never easy no matter when it happens, but sometimes it’s necessary,” said Pizza Hut in a statement.
Apparently what was necessary was ramping up Pizza Huts’ sales slide over the past two years. Hopefully, Deutsch can reverse the slump based on its past success with Taco Bell.
The Pizza Hut and Taco Bell chains are owned by Louisville-based Yum Brands. Another Yum Brand, KFC, remains in Chicago with FCB Chicago.
Pizza Hut spent $247 million on measured media in 2013, according to Kantar Media.
“We are proud of the work we have tirelessly accomplished together,” McGarryBowen said in a statement Thursday. “We wish them all the best.”
THE GOOD NEWS. Havas Worldwide Chicago won the advertising business for fast-growing Memphis-based AutoZone auto parts, from Doner Detroit after a four-year stint there. The account is a nearly $60 million piece of business according to Kantar.
AutoZone has had previous experience with a Chicago agency a few years ago: Paul Brouman’s boutique Sponge Chicago.
THE INSPIRING NEWS. As a way of celebrating their 20 successful years as an advertising agency, RPM owners Steve Platcow and Mark Malin are making two $10,000 contributions.
One goes to the Christian Fenger Academy High School in Roseland, to improve the school and buy much needed supplies. The second $10,000 goes to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to support technology development and connect library users with their community and the world beyond, among other programs.
RPM’s private anniversary party will take place Aug. 21 at the Chicago Cultural Center.
