Business on the Move: Mini, Ellesse, Speedo, and more

Mini has appointed FCB Spain and China as their integrated strategic partners. The two agencies, which have collaborated for accounts such as Levi's, will work together on all communication and advertising activities for the Mini brand.

The appointment, previously held by Mr. Rushmmore, La Despensa and Ogilvy, follows a contest between five agencies. The pitch was coordinated by Scopen.

Swimwear brand Speedo has announced the appointment of Channelzero, to create a global campaign to celebrate Speedo's 90th anniversary.

Channelzero won the contract in a competitive pitch, and will provide all creative and content across digital, retail and PR channels.

AkzoNobel has announced the appointment of MullenLowe Group as the new creative agency partner for its Paints global marketing division, based in Amsterdam. MullenLowe have been tasked with delivering on business objectives of AkzoNobel's professional paints activities, which include brands such as Sikkens and Dulux Trade.

City Football Group has hired CAA Sports to develop global partnerships and orchestrate agreements with leading brands.

The Group, which owns football-related businesses and clubs such as Manchester City, New York City FC and FC Girona, joins CAA's extensive client list, which includes Formula One and Red Bull Racing.

This week brings a triplicate of wins for Gung Ho, which has announced their appointment by Ellesse, Rockport and rugby outfitters Canterbury.

Ellesse has charged the agency with handling all UK press, including PR and influencer campaigns across its Heritage, Sport and Italia collections. Meanwhile, footwear specialists Rockport has tasked Gung Ho with managing UK PR and social media. Canterbury, whose ambassadors include England rugby captain Dylan Hartley, also hired Gung Ho for its UK PR expertise.

Power tools and home appliance manufacturer Bosch has hired Cirkle to launch its premium Smart Home offering. The integrated brief spans consumer PR, influence relations, digital and social media, and aims to establish the brand as a leader in the connected home sector.

The Clerkenwell Brothers has added two new PR contacts to their portfolio, with sustainable water company CanO Water and mochi makers Little Moons joining the agency.

Nutrition brand Veloforte has tasked Fusion Media with handling its UK PR account. The brief will focus on engaging specialist, consumer and lifestyle media, with the aim of targeting the amateur and hobbyist cycling audience.

Church & Dwight has announced the appointment of MSQ Partners as its lead creative agency. MSQ will act as global lead agency on Pearl Drops, Femfresh and Anusol, and will work across the rest of the portfolio of personal, oral and healthcare brands in a UK or European capacity. The review was run through Creativebrief.

Ogilvy Singapore has been appointed as the creative agency of record for Pizza Hut Singapore, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc.

Ikon Brisbane has been appointed as the strategic media planning agency for Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ). Tasked with contemporising TEQ’s overall media approach, Ikon will also assist the organisation to better promote the breadth of experiences on offer for travelers in Queensland.

New York real estate broker Houlihan Lawrence has named King & Partners as its agency of record. The creative agency will handle all branding and advertising duties for the brand.

Acquisitions

Paradise Advertising & Marketing has announced new ownership following the departure of its founder, Cedar Hames. Hames personally selected the new owners, Barbara Emener Karasek and Tony Karasek, upon his retirement at the end of 2017.

Launches

Aesop Agency have announced the opening of a US office based in Los Angeles. Slated to be headed by Amy Godfrey, currently senior account director at the agency's London office, Aesop LA will take on clients such as HBO and food brand Idahoan.

Influencer marketing platform Buzzoole has opened a new office in New York. The expansion comes after a UK launch in 2016 by the platform, which is based in Naples.