Audience Store, a leading international customer insight and programmatic media activation partner, has entered into a strategic alliance with Fenestra, an innovative provider of AI-driven solutions for the advertising industry.

The partnership is part of Audience Store‘s Innovation Lab initiative, aimed at enhancing its proprietary audience intelligence platform, Discover AI, and next-generation CTV solution, Targetcast.

With the advertising landscape continually evolving, this collaboration will enable both companies to leverage cutting-edge technology, including AI, to significantly enhance campaign efficiency and effectiveness. Discover AI and Targetcast will empower brands to adopt a logical, audience-first approach to CTV advertising across their programmatic campaigns, focussing on brand impact, dynamic creative and performance.

By combining forces, Audience Store and Fenestra will help brands maximise their reach and achieve incremental growth, while seamlessly integrating with linear TV delivery.

“Partnering with Fenestra aligns perfectly with our mission to clear up the market’s confusion around the changes in the TV landscape and the complex world of digital marketing,” said Jon Hewson, CEO of Audience Store. “Their expertise in AI and data-driven solutions complements our commitment to providing brands with the insights they need to engage with and acquire customers more effectively. Together, we will drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

Fenestra, led by digital advertising veterans Ashley MacKenzie and Javier Campos, specialises in creating independent, customisable platforms and data ecosystems. Their solutions empower agencies and advertisers such as Media by Mother, Epitaph Group, Deutsche Telekom, Republic of Media, and Unibet to optimise their global biddable advertising investments through enhanced performance analysis and automated improvements.

“Joining forces with Audience Store is an exciting step for Fenestra,” said Javier Campos, Chief Information Officer of Fenestra. “By combining our AI capabilities with Audience Store’s extensive market insights, we can revolutionise how brands approach audience engagement and CTV advertising, paving the way for smarter, more efficient campaigns.”

As part of Audience Store’s Innovation Lab initiative, the partnership will not only enhance existing offerings, but will also explore new avenues for technology and AI development, setting the stage for future advancements in the advertising sector.

Source: Audience Store

Following a competitive pitch, Clemens Food Group has selected food and beverage agency quench to lead creative efforts for its Hatfield and Kunzler brands.

The 360-campaign from quench will kick off in 2025 and will include television, digital and radio advertising as well as in-store creative aimed at core and new markets for the Hatfield brand. 

Hatfield is known for its line of bacon, ground pork, marinated tenderloins and loin filets, ham, ham steaks, sausage and hot dogs. Hatfield is the official pork provider of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kunzler was acquired by Clemens Food Group in May 2024. The brand has operated for more than 100 years and produces hot dogs, ham, bacon and other meat products. 

“Both brands are expanding, whether it be into new markets or new retailers, and we need to introduce ourselves in a memorable way,” said Clemens Food Group Director of Marketing Brad Doyle. “quench will play a big role in that. They pitched a plan to target our audience from a variety of different angles with some attention-grabbing work. We’re looking forward to working with quench to bring those ideas to life.”

For Philadelphia-based quench, the opportunity to work with iconic Pennsylvania brands like Hatfield and Kunzler was a welcome addition to the agency’s portfolio.

“I grew up with Hatfield and Kunzler products. A lot of the people on the quench team – including those who will be creating the work – also grew up with those brands,” said quench CEO Michael Pavone. “That nostalgic connection is powerful and I think it came through in the work that we pitched. We’re going to put every ounce of that passion into the work we create for these campaigns.”

Clemens Food Group, a division of The Clemens Family Corporation, offers a diverse range of premium pork products. quench is part of Pavone Group, a full-service marketing group with offices in Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta and Harrisburg, Pa.

Source: quench

404 Design & Innovation, a creative company operating globally and founded in Brazil, is celebrating its first anniversary with an unprecedented series of global creative award wins, including a Grand Clio Entertainment Award for its debut project with Netflix.

The company’s inaugural campaign, “The Cruise Heist,” has garnered multiple prestigious industry awards including Bronze and Silver Lions at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, multiple Effie Awards, and recognition at El Ojo de Iberoamérica. The project was conceived and executed when 404 was just 18 days old with a team of five people.

“When Netflix approached us for this major project, we had been operating for less than three weeks,” said Rafael Caldeira, co-founder of 404 Design & Innovation. “It was a bold move on their part to trust a new company, but it perfectly embodies our philosophy that innovation often requires embracing uncertainty. Our name ‘404’ celebrates this — it’s a tribute to the idea that mistakes and risk-taking are essential parts of the creative process.”

404 is part of Galeria Holding, one of the largest independent networks of creative companies in Latin America. Founded by Caldeira, Renan Monjon, and Saulo Monjon, 404 Design & Innovation has quickly established itself as one of Brazil’s most awarded independent creative studios. The company’s success stems from its unique design-first methodology that enables sophisticated problem-solving across various executions, from PR stunts and advertising to AI applications and graphic design.

In its first year, 404 Design & Innovation has:

• Secured partnerships with global brands including Netflix, Google, and Natura
• Won multiple international awards including:
  • Grand Clio Entertainment Award
  • Cannes Lions: Bronze (Market Disruption) and Silver (Social Influencer)
  • Multiple Effie Awards including Silver for Media/Entertainment
  • Gold at El Ojo de Iberoamérica
• Developed innovative solutions combining design thinking with cutting-edge technology
• 2024 accounts for 5% of the group’s total revenue, putting 404 Design & Innovation on track to see that percentage rise by double digits.

“Our approach challenges traditional creative company structures,” said Monjon. “We operate with just two departments – Operations and Product — allowing for more direct collaboration with clients and faster innovation cycles.”

The company’s rapid success has established a new model for creative problem-solving in the Brazilian market. By emphasizing design thinking and maintaining a flat organizational structure, 404 has demonstrated how combining Brazilian creativity with technological expertise can produce globally recognized work.

“In an AI-dominated world, we believe human intervention and the courage to take risks will increasingly differentiate brands,” added Monjon. “Our first year’s success proves that clients are seeking partners who can balance innovation with intentional, thoughtful design approaches.”

Source: Galeria.Holding

UK music first social agency Warm Street and partner Netflix have landed two Grand Winners at this year’s prestigious Clio Entertainment Awards for global social media campaign “Queen Charlotte’s Global Orchestra”. The work was created to launch Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”.

The raft of awards include Grand Winner: original content/creative content; Grand Winner: social media/use of influencer and talent; Gold: social media/long form social media video; Bronze: drama/ audio visual special shoot video.

Theo Gentilli, Warm Street Founding Partner, has commented: “Clio Entertainment Awards celebrate global creative excellence in entertainment marketing so we could not be prouder for our partner Netflix. Warm Street has been built on principles of inclusion, using brand dollars to create a better world. For the Clios to recognise our work’s impact is endlessly inspiring.”

He continued, “Queen Charlotte has been an incredible passion project for all of us. We truly wanted to create cultural change by raising awareness of talented women of Colour playing classical music globally and helping inspire a new generation of musicians.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single magnificent person who helped make this happen.”

The work

Inspired by the show’s themes of empowerment, diversity, and cultural change, Warm Street’s long form video and social media strategy broke new ground in promotional content. Creative insight came from a stark reality: less than 3% of orchestras include people of colour, with gender equity still a distant goal in the music industry.

In a world first, Warm Street assembled a 74-piece, all-women-of-colour orchestra in under two months. This extraordinary ensemble reimagined Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” in classical style, coinciding with the song’s 20th anniversary. The production was led by a majority-female crew, further emphasising commitment to representation both in front of and behind the camera.

Commercial and cultural Impact

The video was a transformative experience with impact extending far beyond production: over 50 million views across Netflix’s platforms, Bridgerton and Alicia Keys social and YouTube channels. In 2023, the campaign was nominated in the Video for Good category at the MTV VMAs. More recently it won Best Casting of an Open Media Project in the Casting Directors Association Awards 2024.

This innovative approach to promoting “Queen Charlotte” contributed to the series gathering an impressive 1.9 billion viewing minutes in its first few days on Netflix. It helped “Queen Charlotte” become Netflix’s best-performing series launch, with 145 million viewers in week one and 158 million in week two.

Most importantly, the video sparked a wave of inspiration, flooding online platforms with comments from viewers moved by the representation and artistry on display. Personal messages received from orchestra members themselves underscored the project’s profound impact on participants. The campaign has created a meaningful cultural moment resonating far beyond the screen.

Source: Warm Street

Clarion, who have clients including Aldi, Cigna Healthcare, Unilever and Wickes to name but a few, secured the retained integrated communications contract through a competitive pitch process. The remit will see the agency support REM with Consumer and B2b PR including issue management and social media content across its assets with a particular focus on showcasing The Shard as a beacon for modern London amongst tenants and the wider community. This will include the development and amplification of its annual ‘Shard Festive Lights’ campaign.

Daniel Fulbrook, Head of Marketing, Real Estate Management (UK) Limited commented: “We are thrilled to appoint Clarion as our PR partner. Their experience in providing strategic and creative PR campaigns across both consumer and B2b was a significant draw and their proven success with the likes of St Pancras International really resonated.  We had great chemistry from the off which is incredibly important as they will act as extension of our team. We can’t wait to get started on the exciting proposals planned.”

Amanda Meyrick, CEO at Clarion Communications said: “We’re incredibly proud and really looking forward to working across REM’s premium property portfolio. When it comes to The Shard, it’s a privilege to support such an iconic London landmark and we look forward to delivering successful campaigns that will enhance the building’s iconic status.”

The Consumer and B2b PR and digital marketing agency’s other recent wins include Bread & Butter Wines, Danone, Evan Evans and Hovis. 

Meyrick adds: “We’re seeing a big influx in brands choosing us for our integrated communications abilities including forty percent of our clients now relying on our issues management. Having everything under one roof means we can effectively and efficiently provide clever and consistent communications strategies which clients such as REM notably benefit from.” 

Source: Clarion

“B Corp certification is a recognition of the thoughtfulness and hard work the Doe-Anderson team has put toward creating a culture that embraces the long view,” said John Birnsteel, CEO of Doe-Anderson. “As the nation’s oldest independent advertising agency, we’re no strangers to building a sustainable business, but the framework that B Lab uses has really elevated us. We are operating by best-in-class standards that not only benefit our agency but, more importantly, our clients and our community.”

To receive the certification, Doe-Anderson underwent a rigorous assessment administered by B Lab that measures and verifies impact areas including governance, community, the environment, customers and workers.

“One of the great things about this certification is the opportunity to learn and improve our operations moving forward,” Lee Dorsey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Doe-Anderson, said. “This is not something our company receives and then sets on a shelf. We are already executing plans to continue to get better.”

Since its founding in 1915, Doe-Anderson has made its name as an industry-leader in advertising and garnered a reputation for doing good. The agency has developed multiple community partnerships with nonprofits and educational institutes like Junior Achievement, the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University and Leadership Louisville. Its All Hands program, launched in 2023, is dedicated to helping grow Black-owned small businesses by providing pro-bono branding, marketing and public relations consultative services.

“We welcome Doe-Anderson to the growing number of businesses committed to doing good while doing good business,” said Max Hayes, Community Growth Manager at B Lab U.S. & Canada. “Their commitment to their employees and the communities in which they operate is admirable, and we look forward to seeing how they sustain their mission.”

Source: Doe-Anderson

As former Client Services Director, Hannah has been a driving force behind AKQA Amsterdam’s growth and success since joining in 2021. A seasoned strategist and inspiring leader, she brings a wealth of expertise in brand and innovation to her new role, cultivating impactful, long-term partnerships with leading global brands.

As Client Services Director, Hannah led impactful projects, most notably the award-winning Pink Chip initiative, a platform with the core mission to unlock the economic power of women. Under her guidance and advocacy, the Pink Chip project won three Gold Lions at Cannes, including one in Glass, the Lion for Change.

On her new role, Hannah said: “AKQA Amsterdam is an incredibly talented group of individuals who strive to bring value to our partners beyond the initial ask of any brief. I’m honoured to help lead this team into next year. The future is filled with opportunity, and as I enter this new role, I am focused on how to cultivate an environment and culture that yields the highest quality of life, work, and outcomes for all.”

Source: AKQA Amsterdam

Finnish creative agency SEK launches MadWe trainee program to make the field an attractive option for young people of underrepresented backgrounds.

The campaign plays on the well-known phrase “to get one’s foot in the door” to reach potential trainees. Brightly painted shoes are placed near school doors and shopping mall entrances in Helsinki, portraying taking steps towards the door. Inside the shoe there is an QR code to an application site.

“The MadWe trainee program is one of our ways to keep the door open to diverse talent. People from underrepresented backgrounds often face significant, inequitable barriers when entering the Finnish job market. Through this program, we want to do our part in breaking down these barriers and encourage people to apply. Everyone should be able to envision themselves working and being represented in our industry”, says Suvi Lähde, Executive Creative Director of SEK.

A case for people is a case for the business

SEK has actively challenged the power structures within the Finnish creative industry. For the past seven years, SEK ran a MadWomen -campaign, an initiative designed to foster networking opportunities and increase dialogue across industry boundaries.

Beginning from Mad Women, the initiative grows and broadens into MadWe. In March 2024, SEK conducted a workshop for the youth, which sparked the idea for the new trainee program.

“The case for equity is clear. Besides improving employee well-being, uplifting teamwork and the ability to innovate, according to studies¹, even just one team member representing a minor demographic can significantly increase the team’s understanding of a target audience”, says Sonja Pihkala, Business Director of SEK.

¹ Claremont Lincoln University: https://www.claremontlincoln.edu/12-reasons-why-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-are-important-in-business/

Source: SEK

With ambitions to further bolster the PPA’s unfaltering support of its 270+ UK publishing companies and associate members, and collaborating with PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali, Vanneck-Smith will bring her vast media industry experience and entrepreneurial spirit to support the PPA in its delivery of  new directives for the sector and its members.

Vanneck-Smith, who joined Hearst UK as CEO in December 2022, is an industry-figurehead with a stellar track record which includes leadership roles at Telegraph Media Group, The Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and she also co-founded the global media outlet Tortoise Media in 2018.

As Chair of the PPA, Vanneck-Smith will bring her knowledge, experience and passion for publishing, during a period of rapid transformation in the industry. She will work closely with Merali and the Board, as the PPA implements its 2025 strategy.

Commenting on her appointment, Katie Vanneck-Smith says: “In a time of transformative change, it’s an incredibly exciting time for our industry and I’m proud to step into the role of Chair at the PPA. Nina and the PPA team have done an excellent job in championing our sector, and I look forward to working alongside Sajeeda to help drive innovation and advance the PPA’s support for its members.”

PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali, comments: “I’d like to thank Nina for her tenure as Chair over the last three years. Her strategic thinking combined with her industry knowledge have been invaluable in helping us transform our member offering and define the PPA’s new strategic positioning. As we move forward with our plan for 2025 and beyond, I’m excited to work with Katie, to champion our vibrant and exciting sector.”

Source: PPA

Nectar360 which owns and operates Nectar, the UK’s largest coalition loyalty scheme, has announced a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy that will give its Nectar members more flexibility on how they earn and use points for hotel bookings around the world.

From early 2025, Nectar members who are signed up to/or sign up to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme and link their Nectar account will be able to earn Nectar points on bookings with participating hotels across more than 30 brands and 10,000 global destinations. They will also be able to convert Marriott Bonvoy points into Nectar points, and Nectar points into Marriott Bonvoy points. Linking Nectar and Marriott Bonvoy accounts will open up access to year-round promotions and Nectar members will also receive Nectar points upon signing up to the Marriott Bonvoy programme.

This new partnership will help drive acquisition, retention, long-term loyalty and brand engagement for both Nectar and Marriott Bonvoy, offering customers even more choice and flexibility on how they use their points.

Amir Rasekh, Managing Director of Nectar360, said: “This is another brilliant addition to our Nectar coalition, and an example of our commitment to find new ways for Nectar customers to earn and redeem points. Research tells us that customers want to be able to earn value and utility on hotel bookings and, by partnering with Marriott Bonvoy, we’re opening up a new opportunity for them to do this, through their travel experiences – further broadening the range of rewards and choice we’re able to offer to customers.”

Phil Andreopoulos, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International – Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented: “The ethos behind Nectar360’s loyalty offering perfectly complements our Marriott Bonvoy programme. Both companies understand and recognise the value of customer loyalty, with a mutual focus on delivering ever-greater choice and variety to our members. The synergies of this partnership and the strength of our combined customer base creates an exciting opportunity to turn household shopping into amazing travel experiences for UK consumers.”

Source: Nectar360