Godiva Selects Lippe Taylor for US PR
Following a competitive review, Belgian chocolatier company Godiva has selected PR firm Lippe Taylor to handle their US branding and social media presence. The company hopes to implement a “5x strategy” that will further their image as a lifestyle brand, increasing business for their cafes fivefold globally by 2024. Godiva has also recently implemented other marketing changes in an attempt to expand their brand beyond high-end chocolates. In June, the company tasked PR firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies with their global marketing and in October named former Hard Rock CMO John Galloway as their chief marketing officer.
French/West/Vaughan’s Kristin Levine Advances to President of Pet and Vet Practice
French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the largest independently-owned US PR agencies, has selected Kristen Levine as president of their veterinary department, FWV Fetching. Levine, who previously acted as senior vice president, is a well-respected expert in the pet and veterinary industry.
Levine served as PR director for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Tampa Bay for 15 years and founded the first national pet-focused PR firm, Fetching Communications, in 2003. The company’s reputation as a trusted pet-focused PR resource grew until being acquired by FWV in 2017.
Influencer Content Budgets To Increase in 2019
A recent report from content marketing company Linqia shows many digital marketers believe “influencer content” performs better than brand-created content and are increasing budgets accordingly. Over half in the survey report shifting efforts towards influencer content, with some planning budgets of $500,000 to $1 million. Many marketers are running more influencer content campaigns than in 2018.
The report also indicated many marketers shifting influencer content marketing in-house, though some outsource influencer marketing to third-party agencies or platforms. A majority report Instagram as their prefered social media platform for this type of content while Snapchat is least popular.
Hotwire and Hoffman Agency Announce Asia Partnership
Hotwire and Hoffman Agency are teaming up to increase Hotwire’s service in Asia. Having offices only in North America, Europe, and Australia, Hotwire previously utilized independent agencies for business in Asia as needed. Under the Hoffman deal Hotwire will work with exclusively with Hoffman locations in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia.
Hoffman Agency founder and CEO Lou Hoffman believes the two companies share similar values. He hopes the collaboration will enable him to reach a broader client base while still operating as a mid-size firm.