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‘Smokeless’ Snoop Dogg ad is Martin Agency creation
Known as much for his love of weed as for his music, celebrity rapper Snoop Dogg posted Thursday on X that he was “giving up smoke,” an announcement that raised eyebrows among some fans, while others figured it must be a marketing ploy. To be blunt, it was the latter, and Richmond‘s The Martin Agency […]
W&M Law School hires comms, marketing officer
William & Mary Law School has named Doris Taylor as its first chief communications and marketing officer. Taylor began her new role June 12 and has primary responsibility for developing and executing strategic communication plans and initiatives to support the engagement and professional needs of the law school. Taylor was most recently interim director of […]
Richmond ad agency Yebo announces closure after 35 years
Formerly known as the Barber Martin Agency, Richmond-based Yebo has announced its closure after 35 years. The firm changed its name to Yebo, pronounced “Yay-bow,” in early 2020 to better reflect the firm’s mission. The name means “yes” in the Zulu language of Southern African, which includes Zimbabwe, birth nation of Yebo President and CEO […]
Richmond region launches state’s first tourism district
Virginia’s first tourism improvement district received approval this week and can begin collecting funds from Richmond-region travelers to fund tourism marketing efforts beginning July 1. Following Richmond City Council’s approval vote this week, the new tourism improvement district, or TID, received the necessary support to move forward. Designated areas that raise funds for tourism m[...]
Sentara Healthcare rebrands as Sentara Health
Sentara Healthcare is rebranding as Sentara Health, the Norfolk-based health system announced Thursday. Additionally, in its health insurance division, Sentara will retire Sentara Health Plans’ subsidiary brands, Optima Health and Virginia Premier, unifying them under the Sentara Health Plans brand by the end of the year. “It is an exciting day for all of us […]
Martin Agency is Ad Age’s 2023 Agency of Year
Richmond advertising firm The Martin Agency has been named Ad Age’s 2023 Agency of the Year, a year after being named as a standout on the trade publication’s A-List. Ad Age, a global media outlet covering the marketing and advertising industries, cited Martin’s record; the ad agency posted its second-best year of growth in its […]
Two Hampton Roads marketing agencies to merge
Norfolk-based WB Marketing’s parent company has acquired majority interest in Virginia Beach-based marketing and communications firm Meridian Group and will merge the two into one agency, Meridian Group announced Tuesday. Mike Matacunas from Norfolk-based private investment firm Five Hill Capital — WB Marketing’s parent — acquired the majority interest from Meridian Group founder J[...]
Thalhimer rebrands property management division
Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer is rebranding its residential property management division from Residential Property Services to Thalhimer Multifamily (TMF), the real estate firm announced Thursday. TMF is Thalhimer’s largest operating group, employing more than 200 people and managing more than 9,100 multifamily units across Virginia and North Carolina. “Our firm’s strategic[...]
United Way of SWVA appoints development/outreach VP
The United Way of Southwest Virginia has named Beth McConkey as its new vice president of development and outreach, the organization announced Thursday. McConkey oversees the marketing and communications and development teams. She started her role in mid-December. She brings 16 years of marketing experience to the organization and has held leadership positions at multiple […]
$1.2B WillowTree purchase completed
Telus International Inc.’s $1.225 billion purchase of Charlottesville-based software company WillowTree Inc. has been completed, the Canadian tech company said Wednesday. The acquisition was announced in October 2022. The purchase included $210 million of assumed debt, of which $125 million was to be settled in Telus subordinate voting shares. Approximately $160 million will be reinvested [...]
Martin Agency names first chief revenue officer
The Martin Agency has named Tasha Dean its first chief revenue officer, the Richmond-based national advertising agency announced Wednesday. Dean, who has previously led integrated production at the agency, will be responsible for growing revenue, implementing strategies for organizational design, finding new marketing offerings, identifying the latest tech and products, and reviewing new opportuni[...]
Martin Agency CEO named global head of MullenLowe Group
Kristen Cavallo, CEO of Richmond-based ad firm The Martin Agency, has been promoted to global CEO of MullenLowe Group and will serve in both positions, Interpublic Group (IPG) announced Thursday. IPG is one of the “Big Four” advertising companies, having started in 1930 as McCann-Erickson. Today, it includes dozens of companies, including MullenLowe, Octagon and […]
