Publicis Seattle Momentum Continues: Britt Fero Joins as EVP, Head of Strategy

SEATTLE, WA (September 10, 2013) – Publicis Seattle has tapped Britt Peterson Fero as Executive Vice President & Head of Strategy, according to Scott Foreman, CEO, of the office.  Fero comes directly from Cole & Weber, where she was a Partner and Director of Growth Strategy. At Publicis Seattle, Fero will lead strategy on existing clients, new business, and further expand the agency’s strategy offering and department.  Fero reports to Foreman, and completes the office leadership team which includes: Jason Sullivan, EVP, Managing Director; Andrew Christou, EVP, CCO; Steve Williams, SVP, Group Creative Director, and Hart Rusen, SVP, Group Creative Director.  Publicis Seattle recently won the Eddie Bauer account, and counts T-Mobile, Seabourn, and Les Schwab, among their clients.

Foreman stated, “I am so excited Britt has joined us.  She has a proven track record of unlocking a brand’s true potential with adventurous thinking and ideas.  She will make us and the work we do even better, and we’re excited to get her immersed in our current client’s brands and our new business opportunities.”

Fero stated, “In today’s increasingly dynamic marketplace — with increasingly discerning and demanding people — brands need a culture of action. To me strategy must be a verb, not a noun.  I look forward to helping brands seize new business opportunities and putting my vision of strategy into action at Publicis Seattle.”

During Fero’s tenure as Partner at Cole & Weber, the agency built relationships with the International Olympic Committee, Target, Kellogg’s, Epson, Microsoft, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Washington’s Lottery.  Additionally, she drove development of two key thought-leadership research pieces: the first around the sociability of brands (Project Butterfly) and the second around how consumers shop convenience stores (Project See Store).  Project Butterfly was recognized as the Grand Winner of the Ogilvy Great Minds Quality in Research Award and Project See Store was honored as Best Qualitative Research of the Year by the QRCA.

Fero is a Publicis alumna, serving as Director of Development and Innovation in Seattle in from 2004 – 2007. Prior, she worked at Fallon & Duffy Design in Minneapolis and New York leading brands such as United Airlines, Starbucks, Virgin Mobile and Bahamas Tourism.  A contributor to Forbes, Fast Company and MediaPost, Fero’s work has been recognized by Communications Arts, the One Show and Cannes, and featured in Juicing the Orange, Brand Apart and Michael Serazio’s book “Your Ad Here.“

About Publicis Seattle
Publicis Seattle is an integrated marketing communications agency. The agency is part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, the North American regional operating unit of Paris-based Publicis Worldwide and the largest global agency network within holding company, Publicis Groupe. The mission of Publicis Worldwide is “To Lead the Change” to help our clients leap ahead. Publicis Seattle clients include: T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Karcher, Les Schwab and Seabourn.

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Publicis Seattle Hosts Women Who Rock Panel

SEATTLE, WA (July 25, 2013) – Publicis Seattle hosted Women Who Rock, a panel discussion showcasing six of Seattle’s most successful businesswomen. The event, held at the agency, saw an amazing turnout. The entire office along with friends, clients, and other companies in our building gathered in the agency café for gourmet popcorn, adult beverages and an insightful panel discussion by area business leaders.

The impetus for the event came from a current exhibit of the same name on display at EMP Museum, one of the agency’s clients. Rather than focus on the women who have shaped the music world, Publicis Seattle’s event was a celebration of some of the most successful women running Seattle businesses with a focus on innovation, creativity and culture. The event began with a panel discussion and live audience Q&A and was followed by a curator-led tour of the actual EMP exhibit.

The event was moderated by Shireen Jiwan, Chief Investigator at Sleuth, and the panelists were:
Kimberly Harris – President and CEO, Puget Sound Energy
Halle Hutchison – Managing Director of Brand Management, Alaska Airlines
Renee Erickson – Chef/Owner, The Whale Wins, Boat Street Cafe and The Walrus and the Carpenter
Andrina Bigelow – CEO, Fran’s Chocolates
Amy Bohutinsky – CMO, Zillow
Jill Wenger – Founder and CEO, Totokaelo Design

The panelists gave their perspective on the challenges of business, the inspiration that Seattle gives them, the importance of being true to yourself and where you want to go in life. When Renee Erickson was asked about opening her own restaurant, she responded, “Buying a restaurant at 25 was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. It’s also the best thing I’ve ever done and changed my life forever.”

Halle Hutchison, who oversees Alaska Airlines’ product marketing, sponsorships, advertising and promotions noted, “Being a visionary is one thing. Being a control freak is another. Let the people around you be great, too, and you’ll all share in the successes.”

Andrina Bigelow, a successor to her mother, Fran, as CEO of Fran’s Chocolates spoke about what makes her a successful businesswoman: “We stay true to our mission, we always go back to that same goal. We will never compromise on quality, whether its packing, customer service, our retail stores, every single decision we make. Even if it means we could make a little bit more money by compromising and buying something a little cheaper, an ingredient that’s a little cheaper, going after a product category or segment that’s really popular, we just wont do it. And we’ve started out that way, and continue everyday to stay true to that mission and I think that’s been incredibly powerful for us in terms of success of the business.”

In closing, Jill Wenger offered some advice to the audience: “Let the rest of your peers settle. Be adventurous in your actions.” Another panelist, Amy Bohutinsky added, “I never really planned it this way, even five years ago I don’t know if I would have said ‘I want to be a CMO.’ If anyone’s ever read Sheryl Sandberg’s book, there’s a line it that says a career is a ‘jungle gym not a ladder’ and as long as you know the things you like to do and the things that make you passionate you can’t plan the exact path to get there. It takes just as much work to swing for the fences as it does to lay down a bunt. But only one of these approaches has the potential for greatness. Think about it.”

As an agency rooted in adventurous thinking, it made sense to bring together some of the most adventurous thinkers in the world of business, creativity and culture to share their perspectives. This was an opportunity for 200 of tomorrow’s leaders to listen and learn from some of the country’s most successful business leaders. Women Who Rock was the first in what will be a series of panels, roundtables and other creativity-inspired events hosted by Publicis Seattle, championing the ideas and principles that keep our industry and agency moving forward.

About Publicis Seattle
Publicis Seattle is an integrated marketing communications agency. The agency is part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, the North American regional operating unit of Paris-based Publicis Worldwide and the largest global agency network within holding company, Publicis Groupe. The mission of Publicis Worldwide is “To Lead the Change” to help our clients leap ahead. Publicis Seattle clients include: T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Karcher, Les Schwab and Seabourn.

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Publicis Seattle Wins 2013 Silver Effie for Ball Park

SEATTLE, WA. (May 22, 2013) – Publicis Seattle received a Silver Effie in the Packaged Foods category for reinventing an iconic brand, Ball Park at the 45th annual Effie Awards. The Effie Awards are known by advertisers and agencies globally as the pre-eminent award in the industry, and recognize any and all forms of marketing communication that contribute to a brand’s success.

Aiming to revive an iconic yet stagnant brand, Ball Park boldly went from selling hot dogs to families to selling guy food for guy time. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the shopper, aka guy’s gal, the campaign dramatized the head scratching, yet somehow endearing, things men do during guy time. And rather than trying to understand them, just feed them the bold, juicy delicious food they love and be on your way. The campaign ignited chatter and engagement on social media, drove PR, successfully launched new products, helped reclaim the #1 hot dog brand position and propelled sales above all competitors to win the grilling season triple crown: Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day weekend.

Effie Worldwide stands for effectiveness in marketing communications, spotlighting marketing ideas that work and encouraging thoughtful dialogue about the drivers of marketing effectiveness.  The Effie network works with some of the top research and media organizations worldwide to bring its audience relevant and first-class insights into effective marketing strategy. Since 1968, winning an Effie has become a global symbol of achievement. Today, Effie celebrates effectiveness worldwide with the Global Effie, the Euro Effie, the Middle East / North Africa Effie and more than 40 national Effie programs.

Follow @EffieAwards on Twitter for updates on Effie information, programs and news.

Credits:
Publicis Seattle – Lead Agency
Bob Moore, Chief Creative Officer
Steve Williams, Creative Director
Chris Pollock, Creative Director
Jason Sullivan, SVP, Group Director
Nick Schuitemaker, Account Director
Johnny Wardell, Account Executive
Mark Sweeney, Creative D
Starcom MediaVest Group – Lead Agency

About Publicis Seattle
Publicis Seattle is an integrated marketing communications agency. The agency is part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, the North American regional operating unit of Paris-based Publicis Worldwide and the largest global agency network within holding company, Publicis Groupe. The mission of Publicis Worldwide is “To Lead the Change” to help our clients leap ahead. Publicis Seattle clients include: T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Karcher, Les Schwab and Seabourn.

Follow @publicisusa

Eddie Bauer Hires Publicis Seattle as New Lead Creative Agency

SEATTLE, WA (May 1, 2013) –  Specialty retailer Eddie Bauer has tapped Publicis Seattle as its new lead creative agency after a review.

In 2012, Bellevue, Washington-based Eddie Bauer spent nearly $3 million in measured media spending, according to Nielsen.

Backbone Media, a Carbondale, Colorado agency that positions itself as working in the active lifestyle marketplace, will continue to handle media and PR for Eddie Bauer and Eddie Bauer First Ascent.

Eddie Bauer has put more emphasis on its mountaineering roots and in 2009, launched its First Ascent line of clothing and gear aimed at climbing enthusiasts.

About Eddie Bauer
Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service.  Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 400 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Japan through catalog sales and online at www.eddiebauer.com.  Eddie Bauer is proud to be named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion.

About Publicis Seattle
Publicis Seattle is an integrated marketing communications agency. The agency is part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, the North American regional operating unit of Paris-based Publicis Worldwide and the largest global agency network within holding company, Publicis Groupe. The mission of Publicis Worldwide is “To Lead the Change” to help our clients leap ahead. Publicis Seattle clients include: T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Karcher, Les Schwab and Seabourn.

Follow @publicisusa

T-Mobile Gallops Into New Territory: Publicis Seattle & Riney Take Direct Aim at AT&T, Verizon & Sprint

SEATTLE, WA (March 26, 2013) – The hyper-competitive telecommunications market shares more than a few similarities with the Wild West… intimidating bullies, group pressure, sinister bandits, controlling gang leaders, countless townspeople who feel taken advantage of… and of course, the rogue independent. After years of ruthless competition and a renaissance in mobile technology, only four major carriers are still in their standing: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, making the cowboy days of old the perfect metaphor for today’s mobile marketplace. Hot on the heels of the iPhone 5 release, T-Mobile debuted an aggressive Western style advertising campaign from Publicis Seattle and Riney to paint its brand in a new light.

Always devoted to freedom and being different than the “old school” carriers, the first ad features motley crew of four bandits, representing the big four carriers, entering a lonely mountain town with bad intentions on their faces. One of the riders then has a sudden change of heart and decides pushing people around isn’t what he wants to do with his life anymore. He then throws on an all-too-familiar magenta hat, and rides off into the distance with a smile on his face: a simple, yet clever metaphor to describe the strong armed ways of current telecommunications companies.

T-Mobile’s new brand messaging takes direct aim at the competition, and most pointedly, AT&T. The highlight of the brand messaging is crystal clear. T-Mobile now provides data plans that are cheaper, simpler and more transparent, than any other phone carrier. It also enters the iPhone marketplace with an unbeatable offer of a new iPhone5 for $99 down, and no contract. Talk about a bold step to stop the cell phone bullying.

“These bold moves serve notice that T-Mobile is canceling its membership in the out-of-touch wireless club,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA, Inc. “This is an industry filled with ridiculously confusing contracts, limits on how much data you can use or when you can upgrade, and monthly bills that make little sense. As America’s Un-carrier, we are changing all of that and bringing common sense to wireless.”

Currently, T-Mobile has approximately a quarter of the U.S. smartphone market share that AT&T and Verizon enjoy. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile had 33.3%, 32% and 8.2% of the U.S. smartphone market, respectively, according to a December 2012 Kantar report.

Commenting on the new commercial, Peter DeLuca, T-Mobile’s Senior Vice President, Brand & Advertising, stated, “It’s metaphorical…we’re moving in a different direction.”  He added, “All the swagger you saw [at the press event], you’ll see in our advertising in all channels.”

In a category where services are nearly identical, the first carrier to finally start appealing to the real desires of its customers may win a considerable chunk of market share. T-Mobile wants its customers to know they’re listening to them. With guidance from Publicis Seattle and Riney in San Francisco since 1997, T-Mobile will continue with a fresh perspective sure to attract masses of unsatisfied AT&T, Verizon and Sprint customers while putting T-Mobile at the forefront of a consumer revolution in telecom.

About T-Mobile USA Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG.  By the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, approximately 132.3 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.4 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most.

About Publicis Seattle
Publicis Seattle is an integrated marketing communications agency. The agency is part of Publicis Worldwide in the USA, the North American regional operating unit of Paris-based Publicis Worldwide and the largest global agency network within holding company, Publicis Groupe. The mission of Publicis Worldwide is “To Lead the Change” to help our clients leap ahead. Publicis Seattle clients include: T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Karcher, Les Schwab and Seabourn.

Follow @publicisusa