McCann Worldgroup names first agency global president

McCann Worldgroup appointed Stephanie Nerlich as its first global president. Nerlich will report to Daryl Lee, global CEO of McCann and McCann Worldgroup.

Nerlich will partner with the regional presidents of McCann Worldgroup agencies to expand the company’s capabilities in global markets. She will also provide executive leadership and counsel on McCann’s Verizon business in the U.S. Nerlich’s dual role is part of a new leadership structure, introduced by Lee, in which top executives take on responsibilities at both the agency and client levels. 

Nerlich joins from Havas, where she was North American CEO and global chief client officer for the Havas Creative Group. Nerlich has also held leadership positions at several agencies, including executive VP at MDC Partners, president-CEO of Grey and president-CEO of Lowe Roche.

From ‘Whopper, Whopper, Whopper, Whopper’ to ‘Nada Yada Yada’

Metro by T-Mobile launched its first work from OKRP after the Chicago agency won the account in April. The company is launching a catchy “Nada Yada Yada” brand platform which aims to set Metro apart as the only prepaid phone provider without hidden fees.

The rhyming tagline is somewhat reminiscent of OKRP’s “Whopper, Whopper” campaign for Burger King.

Read more: Behind the ‘Whopper, Whopper’ ads

“Our goal is to make Metro’s marketing unmissable,” said Matt McNulty, OKRP executive creative director. “This line, combined with the music we developed and the repetition of the phrase—in both languages—will stick in consumers’ minds.”

The work is led by two spots calling out rivals for complicated contracts, unexpected surprises and price hikes. One will air on network TV, including ABC, NBC, CBS, NFL Network, HGTV and Hallmark among others. The other spot is targeted toward Latino consumers and will air in Spanish on Galavision, NBC Universo, Telemundo, TUDN, Unimas and Univision. 

As part of the effort, Metro by T-Mobile is also offering sufferers of “big cable trauma” $45 gift cards to offset their exorbitant fee hikes, as part of the Broadband B.S. Fund.

VMLY&R puts espresso in Simply Orange 

Simply Orange is jazzing up a breakfast staple by combining orange juice and coffee with a pop culture favorite.

Simply EspressOJ drink kits, created by WPP’s OpenX and led by VMLY&R, expedite a morning’s drink run by infusing Simply Orange orange juice with espresso-flavored popping boba. 

The drink kits are inspired by the viral TikTok trend that combines orange juice and a shot of espresso—a drink favored by actor Ashton Kutcher. 

“When conversation online swirled around blending breakfast drinks, Simply needed to offer up our bold perspective,” VMLY&R Executive Creative Director Sherman Winfield said in a statement. “Creating EspressOJ isn’t just about formulating a delicious drink; it’s about sparking conversations and inspiring a new wave of creativity for our fans.”

Originally 500 kits were available, but 100 are now up for grabs to those who engage with the Simply EspressOJ Instagram post. Each kit includes two satchels of espresso-flavored boba and two boba straws. All that’s needed is fresh Simply Orange juice. 

Kids & Company Selects Bernstein-Rein for identity and branding

Childcare education brand Kids & Company hired Bernstein-Rein as its first U.S. visual identity and brand agency of record, following a competitive review. 

Led out of the agency’s Kansas City, Missouri headquarters, Bernstein-Rein is responsible for expanding the company’s footprint to the U.S. It aims to implement a new positioning, brand strategy, naming and visual design program that will help Kids & Company stand out among education centers across North America. 

Expanding into the U.S. was an integral part of the Canadian company’s growth strategy, according to Victoria Sopik, co-founder and CEO of Kids & Company.

“We were seeking an agency located in the United States, familiar with the mindset of local families, that shares our laser focus on meeting their ever-evolving needs,” Sopik said in a statement. “Bernstein-Rein stood out as the perfect match, bringing a deep understanding of consumer preferences and a track record of crafting innovative branding solutions.”

Raising awareness for military traumatic brain injuries

Independent agency RP3 has launched a rebranding campaign for a federal research organization called the Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative. The organization was previously known as the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine.

The rebranding effort includes a video narrated by ABC’s “World News Tonight” correspondent Bob Woodruff, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, in 2006. While covering the war in Iraq, his armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Afterward, he spent 36 days in a medically induced coma. He later founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation to help service members who deal with the impact of hidden injuries such as TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The campaign is meant to raise awareness of the danger of TBIs because they are difficult to identify and treat.

Just Briefly

Orangetheory Fitness appointed Mother Los Angeles as its creative agency of record following a competitive review. The account was previously held by Tombras, which will continue to handle media.

Evan Gettinger joined the independent brand strategy and design agency CBX as principal. Gettinger has previously worked at global branding agencies including Omnicom’s Interbrand and WPP’s Superunion. 

Vault49 hired Charlie Hughes as the first strategy director for its London studio. Hughes will report to Vault49 Head of Strategy Meg Asaro and lead work across clients including Guinness and PepsiCo.