Fig adds Expedia Group exec

Independent agency Fig has hired Alex Reinoso as executive creative director, a new role. Reinoso, who was formerly global executive creative director at Expedia Group, said in a statement he was looking for an “outside perspective with fewer layers” in his new role.

Fig also named Dan Blaney executive director of production. Blaney assumes the position from Victoria Bennett, who left the shop in April, according to a Fig spokesperson. He was previously head of production at Stagwell’s Anomaly.

A splash from the past

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which changed viral marketing forever, turns 10 this summer. And some advertising executives are taking the opportunity to unearth their old entries, including Jason Sperling, chief creative officer of Innocean USA, who claims he’s “probably losing the respect of the entire LinkedIn community” in posting the footage.

Check out the video below and decide for yourself.

Volkswagen and DDB renew their vows

Volkswagen has extended its global creative contract with DDB for another three years. The Omnicom shop has been VW’s creative agency for over six decades, it said in a statement.

Omnicom will now also manage VW’s precision marketing, working to overhaul the brand’s customer experience and production processes. A new group will be integrated within the media team at Omnicom’s PHD, which had its contract renewed with Volkswagen Group in June.

Erich & Kallman teams with King’s Hawaiian

King’s Hawaiian, the maker of dinner rolls and other Hawaiian baked goods, has appointed Erich & Kallman as its creative agency following a review handled by Zach Rosenberg Consulting. Los Angeles-based shop Haymaker was the incumbent on the account.

With offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas, Erich & Kallman will oversee creative development across all media channels. The indie agency’s first work is scheduled to debut in 2025.

Just briefly 

WPP is selling its controlling stake in financial communications shop FGS Global to private equity firm KKR in a deal that values FGS at $1.7 billion and should generate $767 million in cash proceeds for WPP, the holding company announced on Wednesday. WPP also lowered its full-year revenue forecast. It now expects its like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs to be flat to down 1% in 2024, after previously predicting flat to 1% growth.

The University of Minnesota named Rise and Shine and Partners as its agency of record following a competitive review that featured 45 agencies. The independent shop replaces Friends & Neighbors on the account, according to Rise and Shine and Partners.

Hill Holliday promoted Dave Weist to chief creative officer, replacing Peter Nicholson, who has left the agency. Weist formerly served as executive VP, head of brand.

Ogilvy Health elevated Shannon Walsh to the new role of chief operating officer for North America. She most recently was president of PR for North America, and will continue to oversee the agency’s PR, social and influencer business. 

SheScales, a marketing advisory program powered by Rain the Growth Agency, has opened up applications for its 2024-2025 class. This cohort will support a group of female-founded businesses through marketing resources and advisory services. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18.