Bernstein-Rein Bends Over Backwards… And Loses Its Grip
October 3, 2007
USAA, which provides financial services to people serving in the military, has left Kansas City shop Bernstein-Rein for Deutsch despite the incumbent bending over backwards to satisfy. Bernstein-Rein has handled the 8 million dollar account since 2005.
Meanwhile, the advertising icon winners will be immortalized in the Advertising Icon Museum opening in Kansas City in 2009. Robert A. Bernstein, founder of Bernstein-Rein is building a massive complex that will house his three companies, a boutique hotel, restaurants, stores, an auditorium and the Advertising Icon Museum. Hmm… he should be more interested in holding onto and bringing in some new big biz. Screw the museum.
USAA is some big cash to lose considering the rest of their roster. Yes, the agency recently took on some new vodka, Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee and Cook’s Ham, but these are small potatoes. Remember that the shop was once the proud agency of record for Wal-Mart. At the time of their Wal-Mart loss, the agency told the Kansas City Business Journal that:
“To handle what they think will be a sizable influx of new accounts to fill the Wal-Mart void, Bernstein-Rein is focusing on two things: keeping the Wal-Mart creative team together and hiring new talent. Steve Bernstein [pictured above with CEO Bob Bernstein (left)] said that there are no plans for layoffs, that morale is high and that he doesn’t expect widespread defections in the wake of the setback.”
What about now? Layoffs? We like the idea of a big, fat advertising agency sitting in Kansas City. We hope they pull through.
Read More: Get Off Your Ass And Go To Dinner With The ClientÂ
October 4, 2007 at 2:56 am
The title of this article should have been “BR Bends Over Backwards Only To Get Bent Over.” USAA has such a great story to tell. They could have an incredible brand. But the people who run that company are crazy! And the layers of incompetence decisions have to go through are insane. USAA, and their culture of fear, is a company who won’t realize their potential for many years to come. And many agencies. BR on the other hand will survive this. If fact, they’ll be better for it. There will probably be layoffs, but when the dust settles BR will be able to focus on doing the kind of work they’re capable of for clients who understand the importance of a creative, innovative business partner. Thank God USAA is gone.