Virginia Beach-based Marathon Consulting acquired Henrico-based SQL Data Partners In a deal that sparked last fall and finalized in May.
Media/Marketing/Advertising
Martin Agency bows out as lead ad firm for Virginia Tourism office
After a five-year run as the lead advertising firm for the state tourism office, the agency that coined “Virginia is for Lovers” has opted to let the multimillion-dollar account go.
The Pitch: Advertising and marketing news for 7.11.23
The state tourism office names new lead agencies, ending a five-year run with The Martin Agency. And a West Coast-based sausage maker gets a Richmond-produced campaign. (BizSense Pro required)
Creative Q&A: Ad Person of the Year, Charles Hodges of Arts & Letters
“I think maybe without knowing it Richmond is the best city in the country that’s not a major market but makes major market communications work,” said Hodges, who founded Arts & Letters here six years ago.
The Pitch: Advertising and marketing news for 6.27.23
An organ donation nonprofit and a vodka brand get new campaigns, a downtown agency launches an entertainment division, and a Scott’s Addition agency calls it quits after 35 years. (BizSense Pro subscription required)
Ad agency Yebo, formerly Barber Martin, calls it quits after 35-year run
“We’ve had a really good run. But the business is challenging,” CEO Robyn Zacharias said of the closure, which comes three years after the name change from Barber Martin to Yebo.
The Pitch: Advertising and marketing news for 6.13.23
A regional tourism group rolls out a $2 million campaign and a local kombucha brand promotes its latest flavors. (BizSense Pro subscription required)
Padilla executive, campaign win top honors at annual PR awards
The communications firm with an office in Manchester was the night’s big winner, taking home a Best-in-Show and the Excellence in Public Relations Award, which went to Padilla executive Jeff Wilson.
Richmond branding firm adds New York outpost
Scott’s Addition-based Brand Federation has opened a second office in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, where founding partner Kelly O’Keefe once lived and the company’s clients are most concentrated outside Virginia.
The Pitch: Advertising and marketing news for 5.30.23
The NBA Finals gets a locally produced promo, two longtime Brandcenter professors retire, and Buffalo Wild Wings moves on from The Martin Agency. (BizSense Pro subscription required)