STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• Masterlock Rebrands, Unveils First National Campaign In Decades in MAD on 04/14/2025
  

  The company's new brand idea is "Master It," designed to reposition Masterlock toward the core value of responsibility. The firm worked with agency Laughlin Constable on the effort.

• Winn-Dixie Parent Taps Net Conversion As Media AOR in MAD on 04/14/2025
  

  Parent Southeastern Grocers also owns supermarket chain Harveys, which is covered under Net Conversion's remit.

• Brainlabs Taps GroupM Veteran Impey As Global Chief Commercial Officer in MAD on 04/11/2025
  

  The agency said Impey will focus on securing new business, leading strategic pricing and M&A due diligence, and evolving Brainlabs' commercial strategy worldwide.

• Marketing Agency BMF Sets Up Shop In Hong Kong, Plans APAC Expansion in MAD on 04/11/2025
  

  The new office is being led by Winkie Wong as vice president. Wong previously served as global vice president of brand & creative at DFS Group, part of LVMH, and as brand leader for Marriott International's premium brands in APAC.

• Media Agency MissionOne Acquires SEO Agency Growth Skills in MAD on 04/11/2025
  

  It's the first acquisition by MissionOne the new media agency unveiled by BarkelyOKRP in March and run by former Mediahub U.S. CEO Sean Corcoran.

• Havas Returns To Growth In The First Quarter in MAD on 04/10/2025
  

  The company reported organic growth of 2.5% for the period, in line with its 2%-plus growth outlook for full year 2025. Momentum in North America was a key driver, the company said.

• Domino's Retains WorkInProgress Through 2027 in MAD on 04/10/2025
  

  The independent agency, based in Boulder, Colorado, will lead strategic and creative duties spanning all brand touchpoints.

• After Merging With Hero, Huge Will Be Go-To-Market Brand in MAD on 04/10/2025
  

  Lisa De Bonis remains CEO of Huge. Jay Dettling, who has been CEO of Hero Digital for the last two-and-a-half years recently announced on LinkedIn that he was stepping down.

• Innocean USA Wins Creative AOR Duties For El Pollo Loco in MAD on 04/09/2025
  

  Tasked with revitalizing El Pollo Loco's 50-year legacy brand, the agency will spearhead a suite of services, including creative strategy, content production for brand creative and social, merchandising and design.

• CarMax Taps 72andSunny For Creative AOR Duties in MAD on 04/09/2025
  

  According to the agency it will "work with CarMax to bring to life the company's innovative customer-centric offerings, refresh the brand, and connect with consumers in culturally relevant ways."

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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