By John Kirk, Vice President, Creative Director

Fahlgren Wins Regionally

Racing is racing, right? We’ll, it turns out that’s not necessarily so. When NAPA Auto Parts wanted to include both their NASCAR driver and their NHRA driver in the same television campaign and air them to two different racing audiences, we had to make sure those spots played well to both. The key to doing that was removing any reference to the two different types of racing. By focusing on the drivers’ uncanny knowledge of car parts, we were able to tell the story that with over 80 years in the business nobody knows parts, like NAPA.

The campaign features NASCAR driver, Micheal Waltrip and NHRA driver, Ron Capps taking on everyday couples in old-fashioned parlor games. Always featured as guests in the couples’ homes, Michael and Ron win each game with a comedic, tongue-in-cheek ease that leaves the frustrated couples wondering what just happened.

This campaign won Best of Show at the 2009 Columbus ADDYs, and Fahlgren just received news that the campaign, as well as two of it’s individual spots, won Gold ADDYs at the 5th District Regional ADDY Competition. This automatically qualifies them for a chance at a National ADDY Award in June at the American Advertising Federation ADDY show.

Congratulations to ACD/Art Director, Bill Marconi and Copywriter, Steve Chacon. Nice job, guys! Click here to check out the spots.

By Jenny Fuerst, Director, Corporate Communications

“This Best of Show award reminds us that TV continues to be a powerful medium for connecting with target audiences. Traditional advertising is not dead; it’s not an either/or. It’s about the art and science of selecting the right mix of channels to run great, engaging creative that connects and engages your target audience,” said Pete McGinty, President, Fahlgren Advertising.

 ”As a leader in the central Ohio advertising community, we’re reinventing ourselves everyday while staying dedicated to developing unique and insightful campaigns that not only gain recognition from our peers, but most importantly, move the needle for our clients.”

Get more details on the campaign and the other ADDYs we won in the full news release.

By Jenny Fuerst, Director, Corporate Communications

Fahlgren, Edward Howard to Join Public Relations Businesses

Neil Mortine and Kathy Cupper Obert

Alignment Forms Independent Powerhouse:

Largest Firm in Ohio and Top 30 Nationally

The acquisition, which joins the capabilities of Fahlgren Mortine Public Relations and Edward Howard, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2010 although integration and coordinated new business and marketing efforts will begin immediately.

Check out more details of today’s exciting announcement in the news release.

By Jenny Fuerst, Director, Corporate Communications

For those who like lists.

In case you missed it, you might want to check out the April 13 issue of ADWEEK and April 27 issue of PRWeek, both include their annual agency rankings. Fahlgren Advertising moved up the ranks from 99 to 91, while Fahlgren Mortine Public Relations jumped 10 spots from 80 to 70. Both lists are based on revenue.

By Ann Oliver, Account Director

Last evening I had the pleasure of  attending the Columbus Business First Forty Under 40 Awards which recognizes “players in the business community under the age of 40 who show professional drive and community involvement.” 

The emcees shared a brief summary of each honoree’s professional accomplishments  and community service before bestowing the impressive award.  As I listened to each of these stories, I was inspired by the hard work and focus each one of these professionals bring every day to their work and the passion these people have for the communities, charities, churches, arts organizations and philanthropic boards they serve.

The class of 2009  was selected from a group of nearly 200 nominees. Among this prestigious group are two of my Fahlgren co-workers, Jenny Fuerst and Kathleen Ramirez.  Check out their profiles in the Forty Under 40 supplement from Business First which hits the newsstands today.  

Congratulations to all the Forty Under 40 honorees, and most especially to our own inspiring team members Jenny and Kathleen!

By Alaina Sheer,

Every month PointRoll, Fahlgren’s online banner ad delivery partner, chooses a handful of campaigns to honor with a Beanie Award.

Aptly named for PointRoll’s FatBoy mascot, who wears a beanie cap, Beanie award winners are chosen from over 800 campaigns and represent the most “outstanding use of rich media technology through exceptional design, use of functionality or superlative campaign metrics.” 

It’s why we all jumped out of our seats when one of our personal favorites, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Ultimate Fan banner, won a Beanie Award in January.

Special thanks to PointRoll and to NAPA AUTO PARTS.

NAPA Ultimate Fan Banner Creative Team: 

Jay Karr, Account Manager
Megan Hofmann, Project Manager
Alex Palmo, Developer
Chuck Agin, Designer
Scott Gracan, Designer
Alaina Shearer, Copywriter 

View and interact with the ad here.