Why do some act on their ideas, passions, or dreams, while others hold back? A new podcast series, ‘Entrepreneurs in the Wild’, hosted by Iris Co-founder Ian Millner, aims to seek answers to these questions and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs by uncovering the essential personality traits, skills, and beliefs of diverse entrepreneurial mindsets. Powered by Iris, the global creative agency, the first podcast features an interview between Millner and Annika Bizon, Samsung Electronics Marketing and Omnichannel Director UK & Ireland and Head of MX Ireland. Together they discuss the importance of drive, the right mindset, and their shared belief that there’s an entrepreneur in everyone, but also what it is that sets some people apart. They also explore how pivotal AI will be for the future of tech now consumers have fully embraced AI. Guests in the series range from advertising heavyweights to university professors, each sharing their take on entrepreneurial ‘superpowers’ and unique perspectives on creativity and business. Podcasts will be released weekly across all major platforms including Spotify, You Tube, Apple and others, available now via https://beacons.ai/eitw
Over the last two years, the LEGO Group’s in-house creative and strategic agency, Our LEGO Agency (OLA), in partnership with Interbrand, has worked to bring consistency and connectivity to all of the LEGO Group’s brand experiences across its entire ecosystem. OLA and Interbrand created a set of design elements that the LEGO Group could own to evolve its existing brand identity across all physical products and in the digital world. OLA and Interbrand dove into the company’s history to search for brand equity that could be elevated. What stood out was the care the company had put into pursuing its vision – to help children learn through play. Recognising that the company’s youngest fans are still learning to read, Interbrand and OLA researched modes of visual storytelling. They found a promising answer in the semiotics of comic books and replicated these design elements when creating the brand experience. This included using LEGO minifigures, cells and speech bubbles, as well as Action Graphics – which provide a set of visual tools that allow one to narrate their own stories and feel a sense of emotion when playing with LEGO products.
HAVAS Red (formerly Red HAVAS), the global PR agency micronetwork, has announced the addition of HAVAS Red Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire). Aurélie Jarry has been named managing director of the new start-up. This follows the network’s initial expansion into Africa last October, when it opened in Johannesburg. This announcement brings its merged-media capabilities into a total of 18 markets around the world. “Bigger, better, bolder — and more borderless — that’s how HAVAS Red continues to grow each year,” said James Wright, global CEO of HAVAS Red and global chairman of the HAVAS PR Network. “Opening up shop in South Africa last year was a big step for us into an exciting region, and now we’re ready to grow our footprint into West Africa, where our HAVAS colleagues have already been doing groundbreaking work with iconic clients on the Ivory Coast who are also looking for PR and social support.” The Ivory Coast office now operates in a unified way across HAVAS Red’s seven disciplines around the world: health and wellness, corporate PR and reputation management, technology and e-commerce, consumer and lifestyle, automotive and mobility, travel and hospitality, as well as employee engagement and internal communications.
Nurofen launches its new 3D Out-of-Home Nurofen Express campaign in partnership with JCDecaux UK, the market leader in UK rail advertising. The activation marks a first for the pain relief category, and a first on JCDecaux’s Transvision screens. The 3D OOH activation, creative by McCann London, strives to drive awareness of Nurofen Express Liquid Capsules amongst, by testing a new format that will resonate with its active target audience of 21–45-year-olds “business nomads”. With media buying from Zenith UK, the creative will be placed across JCDecaux’s key digital sites in the nation’s rail stations and will give Nurofen a presence like never before that aligns with the brand’s out-and-about demographic. The launch of the 3D OOH activation marks the next phase of an already successful wider campaign for Nurofen Express Liquid Capsules, speaking to the busy lives their business nomads. It leverages Nurofen Express’ best tested claim: starts to get to work in eight minutes* and last up to eight hours. The 3D OOH activation on JCDecaux Transvision will run for two weeks in April, with the creative also launching across the London Underground Digital Gateways with Global alongside this. The wider campaign is also live across TV, BVOD, CTV, Digital and Socials.
Audi and Sky Media have created an exciting new golfing innovation as part of their extended Sky Sports media partnership. The innovative ‘Swing Design Sequence’ provides insight into golf techniques of the professionals to help viewers improve their own performance connecting them more to the game they love. The innovation features as part of Audi’s renewal as the Official Innovation Partner for Sky Sports – a deal brokered between Sky Media and Omnicom Media Group’s PHD. The partnership is continuing into its third year. The new ‘Swing Design Sequence’ is an innovation co-created with Audi and Sky Sports that will be introduced into the 2024 ‘Audi Performance Zone’. Sky Sports has collaborated with Skeletal tracking software company, Sportsbox AI to provide cutting-edge technology that will unlock the secrets of the top professionals. During PGA Tour coverage, slow-motion video will be converted into avatars, enriched with data and analysed by expert coaches to explain how synchronisation of the constituent parts of a golf swing can maximise performance. Golf fans will gain a unique understanding into how the best players in the World create speed, balance, power and accuracy and then apply these insights to improving their own golf game. The ‘Audi Performance Zone’ goes live today within Sky Sports coverage of the RBC Heritage, which will be filmed in a brand-new Sky Sports Golf studio. Beyond RBC Heritage, viewers will continue to see Audi’s innovation partnership across the summer in coverage of Golf studio. Beyond RBC Heritage, viewers will continue to see Audi’s innovation partnership across the summer in coverage of Golf tournaments including the Zurich Classic, John Deere Classic, 3M Open and Wyndham.
As the anticipation builds for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Old El Paso has launched a brand-new multi-million pound campaign with Team GB. The campaign features the brand’s newly appointed Home Team Heroes: Double Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean MBE, Olympic silver medal winning weightlifter, Emily Campbell, Olympic diving champion and three-time medallist Jack Laugher MBE, and Olympic BMX racing champion, Bethany Shriever MBE. Team GB and Old El Paso have united over a shared goal of creating more connection this summer. Team GB unites the nation in support of their athletes, while Old El Paso is best enjoyed with friends and families around the table. The campaign, which has been led by passions agency M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, kicks off with an exciting competition that offers consumers the chance to win VIP tickets to experience the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, via Promotional Old El Paso Retail Packs across their portfolio, live in-store now. Each of our Home Team Heroes feature on individual packs and all share a golden tip on how they bring their unique flavour to an Old El Paso meal. The ‘Make Some Noise for your Home Team’ Masterbrand campaign kicks off with a 30s launch film, that will go live across social and digital. It celebrates eating being the ultimate team sport and showcases all the different flavours every team member brings to the table during an Old El Paso meal. Each ambassador is seen in action in their sport, whilst Chef Tom Dean brings the Home Team together for a celebratory Old El Paso meal. From breaking records to making history, our Home Team Heroes are ready to inspire the nation and Old El Paso want you to make some noise in supporting them.
Digital Marketing Agency Impression is bolstering its impressive client roster after partnering with Specsavers. Working alongside the brand they intend to dominate organic search and provide a world-leading customer experience on site. The multi-channel digital agency was selected as Specsavers’ digital partner following a competitive five-way pitch process. Impression is tasked with building emotional connections between the Specsavers brand and its users. Utilising an integrated approach, their experience and tools in DX and SEO will create a curated brand experience that goes straight to the heart of the customer.
The LTA and BRITA have announced an agreement which sees the brand become the LTA’s official water partner – the first non-single-use water brand to sponsor British tennis. The partnership, aiming to remove all single-use plastic water bottles from the LTA’s major events, will see BRITA provide water across the LTA’s ATP and WTA events in Nottingham, Birmingham, Eastbourne and The Queen’s Club in London via BRITA dispensers and refillable bottles to players, officials, and ticket holders, with refill stations courtside, in player lounges, and in public areas. The agreement marks a major milestone for promoting sustainability in British tennis, with both the LTA and BRITA committed to paving the way in terms of environmental responsibility by aiming to remove all single-use plastic water bottles from the LTA’s major events. This move, made possible thanks to the provision of water dispensers and refillable filtered water bottles by BRITA, will eliminate the use of 100,000 single-use bottles from this year’s tournaments. Creative agency Iris will be tasked with launching a series of activations across the summer to bring the partnership to life amongst event attendees. By bringing BRITA-filtered water to the LTA’s major events in 2024, the LTA and BRITA are committed to taking a major step forward towards binning bottled water for good.
Manchester-based Athleisure brand Adanola has selected full funnel performance agency Nest Commerce to manage its paid social and search activity, to drive its expansion in the UK and internationally. The brand has experienced explosive organic growth in the UK, driven by a powerful community, word of mouth and viral marketing. Now, Adanola seeks to build sales and amplify awareness through paid advertising, which will help the brand expand into the lucrative American market. Nest Commerce, with its proven expertise in digital brand building, will help Adanola reach a wider audience while maintaining performance efficiency. The strategy will encompass platforms including Meta and Google, expanding on Adanola’s strong community engagement.
Cornish lifestyle clothing brand Seasalt has selected Brave Bison to handle its Paid Social with the aim of increasing reach and awareness while supporting sales. The appointment follows a competitive pitch process managed by intermediary, Go! Network. Seasalt was looking for an agency partner to grow its online presence as part of an ambitious international expansion strategy, which includes opening Seasalt stores in the US this year and beyond. To support this expansion plan, Brave Bison will be responsible for increasing brand awareness and upper funnel activity for key social platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as aligning this activity with organic Paid Social strategies. The company will also provide guidance on how Seasalt can expand its social channels further, such as via TikTok, to deliver increased engagement across all channels. Brave Bison will work closely and collaborate with Seasalt’s team and provide creative support and advice on utilising AI in its campaigns. The first campaign will go live in March 2024.
The Cotswold Company, the digitally-led premium handcrafted furniture and homeware brand, has appointed the7stars to be its creative agency of record and its UK planning and buying agency. The collaboration marks a strategic move to bolster The Cotswold Company’s omnichannel strategy, with a focus on enhancing the online user experience and reinvigorating its AV approach. The Cotswold company appointed the7stars during a closed pitch, following a process of due diligence conducted over several months. the7stars take over the creative and media accounts from Creature and Mindshare respectively. The move follows strong performance in 2023 as consumers shift away from ‘throwaway’ furniture in favour of the brand’s high-quality, made-to-last products. The Cotswold Company’s partnership with the7stars signals a commitment to elevating its brand presence and driving growth amidst evolving consumer landscapes. Supernova, the7stars’ creative production studio, is poised to kickstart the partnership with branding work leading up to the launch of a new TV campaign scheduled for September.
Spending super-app HyperJar has appointed sister agencies ROAST and Kitty to drive customer demand and improve web user experience. The multi award-winning spending app has chosen to partner exclusively with independent sister agencies ROAST and Kitty following a competitive pitch. ROAST will carry out Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and App Store Optimisation (ASO), while Kitty will focus on web optimisations. The strategic collaboration between the three parties aims to drive new audiences to HyperJar, continuing the rapid growth of its active customer base. ROAST and Kitty have a proven track record of delivering digital success for many financial brands and that was a contributing factor when appointing an agency.
Provider of sports data and technology solutions Genius Sports, in collaboration with specialist B2B agency The Frameworks, has announced the launch of its latest campaign: “Built on Genius.” Genius Sports uses comprehensive data collection and analysis across sports including soccer, American football, basketball and volleyball to drive new ways for fans to engage with the sports they love. Through its sophisticated technology, Genius captures and shares every intricate detail of sporting events, from the speed of a ball to the angle of a player’s arm. This enables broadcasters, streamers, betting companies, sports teams, leagues and sponsors to create richer, more engaging experiences for sports fans. “Built on Genius” will be supported by a social campaign to raise awareness of the opportunities within sports data for creating new experiences around sports. These experiences will enhance sports fans’ enjoyment, give sports professionals new insights, build loyalty for teams, leagues and brands and, ultimately, deliver new returns for businesses looking to capitalise on an ongoing consumer appetite for sports.
