Omnicom, Sky and Armani: This Week's Top Five Stories

Omnicom Merges Mediahub and Hearts & Science

While Omnicom spent last year making itself 60% bigger, the company is currently working out how best to shrink operations. The advertising giant's takeover of Interpublic Group loaded it with staff and a surplus of agency brands and the reckoning has begun, one name at a time.

First to go are Mediahub and Hearts & Science, which Omnicom is consolidating into a single agency under a new name. It is the summer's biggest brand rationalisation, and few expect it to be the last.

"The fit between these agencies is remarkably complementary," says Florian Adamski, Global CEO of Omnicom Media Group, in an internal memo to staff and clients.

He casts Hearts & Science as the data shop, "built around data-driven marketing from day one", and Mediahub as the creative one, built on "challenger thinking, cultural creativity" and a knack for growing brands through disruption.

Burger King France Launches ‘Boomer King’ Campaign

Burger King launched its 'Boomer King' campaign in France on 21 July, running it across television and BVOD in 10, 20 and 30 second video formats.

Taking on a different style of campaign to some of its competitors, Burger King is aiming to bring back the charm of classic television to pay homage to older generations and evoke memories while giving younger customers fresh reasons to visit the brand.

Inspired by 80s and 90s TV

The launch blatantly nods to classic TV shows such as Charmed, Beverly Hills, 90210, Saved by the Bell and Knight Rider and encourages consumers to collect all the themed collectibles included in every menu.

Ranging from a Charmed mug to a Knight Rider T-shirt, Burger King’s new campaign embraces the nostalgic throwback with full force and excites customers with the prospect of reliving their favourite pop culture moments while enjoying their meal.

Burger King doesn’t just stop there though. It has even reintroduced popular ginger ale beverage ‘Canada Dry’ and a new Galak King Fusion dessert, strengthening the retro themed ties to the menu.

Masco Appoints First Ever CMO​​​​​​​

Masco has taken a bold leap towards building a stronger brand identity by appointing Brad Hiranaga as its first ever Chief Marketing Officer.

Reporting directly to CEO Jon Nudi, Brad will serve as a member of the Executive Committee and oversee all marketing operations across Masco’s brand portfolio, accelerating its digital presence and capability as well as strengthening Masco’s connection to the customer.

One of the global leaders in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products, Masco operates over 20 brands and has more than 80 manufacturing facilities globally.

The introduction of the role comes at a vital time as Masco seeks to drive growth and engagement across its portfolio.

Sky Media UK Appoints Greg Brooks as Head of Marketing

Sky Media UK has recently appointed Greg Brooks as its new Head of Marketing.

In his new role, Greg will be responsible for setting the strategic direction, operating model and priorities for Sky Media’s business to business (B2B) marketing function in the UK. 

Greg explains his excitement towards being appointed as the new Head of Marketing, sharing: “there’s never been a more dynamic time to be in advertising. The industry is reinventing itself at pace and Sky Media is right at the heart of that transformation.”

By working closely with its leadership team, Greg will strengthen and solidify Sky Media’s position as one of the UK’s leading premium media owners and advertising partners. He will support marketing decisions that reflect the company’s innovation, effectiveness and value it delivers to advertisers.

Why Armani Beauty Picked an Olympic Skier Over Hollywood

When did the podium start outselling the red carpet? Giorgio Armani Beauty has an answer.

On 28 July the house named Olympic freeskier Eileen Gu its newest Global Make-up Ambassador, handing the face of its Lip Maestro and new Armani Dolci Makeup Blush to a 22-year-old better known for launching off snow ramps than for sitting front row, though she does plenty of that too.

An Olympic champion delivers what a film star no longer can: a global audience that cannot scroll past her.