NE Creative

Thought District Picks Up Clients Mortech and Benefiq

Mortech is a leading mortgage technology software provider, supplying a wide array of software solutions to thousands of mortgage professionals. And the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Benefiq is an innovative provider of supplemental health and lifestyle benefits. (Source: Thought District)

Thought District Team Up with Hampton Enterprises

Thought District announced on their Facebook page that they are to begin work for Hampton Enterprises. Hampton is a community staple for over 60 years, specializing in land development, commercial general contracting, construction management, real estate brokerage, property management and building maintenance. Hampton helped build such staples in Lincoln like the Lincoln Grand and Northeast High School.

HTI Plastics Selects Pickering

Pickering Creative Group announced that they are partnering with HTI Plastics on marketing communications and strategy development with "the goal of expanding HTI’s market penetration."

HTI Plastics is a Lincoln-based manufacturer of high-end injection molded products. HTI provides design and engineering expertise, tooling, and injection molding for a wide variety of industries from pharmaceuticals to food packaging. (Source: Pickering News)

Smeal Fire Apparatus Chooses Thought District

Synder, Nebraska-based, Smeal Fire Apparatus is one of the largest fire and rescue players in North America. Smeal has hired Thought District to handle their marketing chores.

Additionally, Thought District related, Jason Peterson the founder of aijalon which most recent merged with Pickering has come on board as Thought District's new Chief Operations Officer. As the COO, a new role at TD, Jason will oversee day-to-day workflow and assist in business development, as well as manage key accounts and maintain ongoing client relationships.

Pizza Hut Creative Chores in Play

According to AdWeek, Dallas-based Pizza Hut has put the creative chores for their account into review. The incumbent is BBDO, NY. Likely candidates were not announced but the finalists will be chosen this week and the winner to be chosen by December. Pizza Hut's media spending was $275 million last year and they have spent $144 million in the first seven months of 2009.

I look forward to no longer seeing the "this isn't a Italian restaurant, French bakery...it is from Pizza Hut" commercials. I wonder if the 8% drop in sales and Domino's becoming No. 1 in online sales, with a 28% share of that market had anything to do with the review. (Stats via AdAge)

Thought District lands SuperTel

In their news section, Thought District announced a partnership with new client, SuperTel Hospitality, Inc. SuperTel owns 117 hotels in 23 states and operates under the brand names of Super 8, Comfort Inn/Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, and Ramada, among others. Billing and marketing role were not disclosed.

Lovgren Wins Promotion for New Burger Chain in Omaha and Lincoln

Denver-based restaurant franchise company Reload has named Lovgren Marketing Group as public and media relations firm for its 10 new Smashburger, a fast casual "better burger" restaurant concept, locations in Omaha and Lincoln. 

Lovgren will manage the restaurant chain's day-to-day communication and marketing efforts as it enters the Omaha and Lincoln markets. (Via Omaha World-Herald)

Swanson Russell Adds AGCO's Challenger Brand to Roster

Swanson Russell has announced winning marketing communications assignment for AGCO's Challenger brand of agricultural equipment. AGCO launched the Challenger brand in 2002 which the product line now includes a broad range of tractors, combines, application equipment, and hay and forage equipment.

Swanson Russell Omaha will create the strategic planning, brand positioning, and the development and implementation of marketing communications strategies for Challenger. The both agency's offices account service, interactive and creative departments will all be engaged in carrying out the campaign. (Via Omaha World-Herald)

Runza Moves Creative to Swanson Russell

No official press release has been put out but I feel that the report is pretty legit. Runza has chosen Swanson Russell as its lead creative agency after a review. Swanson Russell handled Runza's media buying before this win. Several other Nebraska agencies participated but non were disclosed. Fusebox, the incubment, had worked with Runza since late 2000 when they won the creative duties from Bailey Lauerman ending a 10-year relationship. In 2000 the estimated total budget including media buying for Runza was $1 million. The budget could have grown over the years as Runza also grew from 63-units in 2000 to 80-units in 2008. In 2002 Fusebox redesigned the Runza logo to its current state and throughout their 8 year stint created some memorable work, especially that catchy instrumental plays in the background of every Runza TV and radio spot. I will know that is a Runza spot before the VO even starts. Congrats to Swanson Russell we look forward to what you will create.

Kelly Klosure Systems Hires Thought District

Thought District is expanding its manufacturing client list by adding Fremont-based Kelly Klosure Systems. Kelly Klosure Systems provides cost-effective, easy-to-assemble relocatable/permanent buildings for the commercial and power industries, and the government. What Thought District's role for Kelly Klosure is not mentioned but it could include a possible identity design, collateral, marketing brochures and a website redesign.