Secret Weapon Marketing is closing its doors after 27 years, Founder and Creative Director Rick Sittig announced in a letter to the advertising industry. In the letter, Sittig—who created and voiced the original Jack in the Box mascot for the fast food chain—said that advertising has become “dull” in part to the field’s “obsession with data and analytics.”
“We’re not a good match anymore,” Sittig wrote. “I’m breaking up with you.”
A 41-year ad veteran, Sittig founded Secret Weapon—then known as Kowloon Wholesale Seafood Co.—in 1997. He created the Jack in the Box mascot while at Chiat\Day in 1994. Secret Weapon began working with Jack in the Box shortly after its founding, and that relationship lasted until 2015. Sittig also helped create the popular Energizer Bunny ads while with Chiat\Day.
Secret Weapon, which currently has 20 employees, will close on Sept. 15, the agency said. The Culver City, California-based agency is currently the agency of record for Honda Dealers of Southern California, San Diego and North Texas. In addition to Jack in the Box, Secret Weapon previously was the agency of record for Ikea North America and Activision.