Business on the Move: Honda, Bentley, The FA, and more

Honda Motor Europe is set to award its creative and strategic account to Hakuhodo. While a deal is yet to be inked, the agency has been informed of the decision. Japanese-headquartered Hakuhodo pitched with its UK-based agency Southpaw against rivals such as Mcgarrybowen, Joint and Wieden+Kennedy London.

Bentley Motors has hired Archant Dialogue to revamp its consumer magazine title, Bentley Magazine. The Norwich-based agency won the account after a competitive tender from over 10 agencies.

Paints and coatings concern AkzoNobel has hired Brand & Deliver to work on its 2018 events contract, delivering exhibitions and trade shows following a competitive pitch. Dulux is among the brands owned by the Dutch firm.

The FA has directed Active World agency Limelight Sports to support and develop The FA People's Cup, the largest and most inclusive small-side football tournament in England. Limelight will be in charge of executing the nationwide five-a-side event as well as increasing the competition's long-term impact.

Branding and design agency White Rabbit has started February by celebrating a series of wins. Joining the client roster are NHS Employers, wearable tech firm Smartlife, spirits brand specialist Quintessential Brands and vintner Boutinot Wines.

Acumen has been appointed by the Belmont Trading Company to raise awareness of its operations in the UK and Europe, and has also been tasked with advising transportation trade organisation, The Road Haulage Association, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Other recent wins for the agency include the return of The PodFather to Acumen's fold, and retention of businesses including Castle Community Bank, Force Ten Digital and Timberbush Tours.

Land O' Frost, the third largest manufacturer of sliced meats in the United States, has awarded its media account to Merkley + Partners. Merkley will act as the food firm's media agency of record.

Ogilvy Singapore has been appointed as the e-commerce agency for Desaru Coast, an integrated destination resort developed by a subsidiary of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels (TAR&H).

Society, the social media and digital content agency within IPG Mediabrands Malaysia, has been appointed the agency of record for Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Canon has tasked the agency with developing strategic and holistic digital marketing solutions across its B2B and B2C product offerings, encompassing social media management and campaign planning for online and offline events.

R/GA Tokyo has confirmed it has joined Shiseido’s roster of agencies, which will include a five person embedded team, consisting of an R/GA Tokyo senior producer, creative technology director, software engineer and design director sitting within Shiseido’s 100-strong creative division. The team will be led by Mark Lloyd Ruck, associate creative director, user experience.

R/GA Tokyo will serve as a strategic business partner to the Japanese company, consulting on new ways of working — from revamping brick-and-mortar retail environments to creating visual communications.

Acquisitions

New York City-based public relations firm Kite Hill PR has acquired tech-focused firm Cutler PR. Cutler, based across New York City and Tel Aviv, works with clients in the cyber security, enterprise technology, mobile and retail tech categories.

Global experience agency North Kingdom has been acquired by the Nordic-based communications group The North Alliance. The Alliance hopes to use the acquisition to boost its capabilities and foothold in the US.

Upward Brand Interactions has announced the acquisition of brand design firm Graphica. The companies are set to form a single cohesive agency serving the B2C and B2B markets.

Reviews

Camelot UK Lotteries is reviewing its above the line advertising business for The National Lottery.

Camelot's first review in 10 years follows a strategic review in 2017, and has been prompted by "huge changes in the media and creative landscape" in that time. Incumbents AMV BBDO will be invited to pitch.

Launches

A new Washington DC-based social branding and communications boutique, Mighty Good, has been launched this week. Led by veteran strategists Nicole Harburger, John Gundlach and Aimee Freund, the agency will aim to supercharge brands with social good aspirations.

FanFinders and The Insight People have launched market intelligence service Parents Insights. The new platform aims to provide companies with direct, real-time data and insights into the parenting market, including consumer habits and audience attitudes.

DesignStudio has announced the launch of its third studio. Based in Sydney, the studio will be headed by the agency's new Creative Director, James Gilmore.

Creative agency Bureau has expanded with the launch of Bureau Environments, a multidisciplinary department tasked with the creation of branding, installation and experiential products for brands and organisations.