A Slow Death For DDB?
October 25, 2007
Lewis Lazare at the Chicago Tribune Sun Times has reported that “DDB/Chicago has parted ways with creative Rick KorzeniowskiDave Kessler, the shop’s top executives on its oldest and most profitable account” and account exec State Farm. DDB group creative director John Siebert will fill Rick’s role. Speculation is rampant that State Farm is about to go into review. Meanwhile, DDB said that the insurance company knew all about the personnel changes and that the account is safe. Hmm…
We contacted State Farm, but to no avail. We’re guessing they might be too busy with all the claims from those horrid fires in California. Any of you know the truth? Agencyspy at mediabistro dot com
If State Farm did bounce, it would be a huge loss for DDB, as the agency has lost some big accounts lately including Kraft. Lazare also called out DDB on their expected loss of the the Dell business-to-business account. Maybe all this, plus the potential disappearance of State Farm is why Paul Tilley is sending aggressive emails to staffers?
Read More: Droga5 Steals From Saatchi
October 25, 2007 at 10:48 pm
“. . .the insurance company new (sic)”?
Apparently, those who can’t DO, Blog.
Proper grammar is essential to validate any argument of this nature. Come back to the table when you can spell.
October 25, 2007 at 10:57 pm
OMG. As many pieces as we write a day… Lord. You’d think you’d forgive us a typoooo. Tsk… Tsk… You must work at DDB.
October 25, 2007 at 11:51 pm
The kreative spelings and misteaks gramatic are the most fun part of this blog think I…
October 26, 2007 at 4:05 pm
isnt state farm the company that held most of those policies in the Katrina region and didnt pay up.Hummmm…the shop’s top executives on its oldest and most profitable account”
What are they 90?
November 23, 2007 at 9:45 am
The AE is Kissel not Kessler. State Farm has not been happy with the work lately. They are groping their way to find a tone to compete with the likes of Geico, but continue to do same old format spots. Korzenowski’s firing is a political move to “improve” the creative. Besides, Korzenowski was universally hated internally. Not a good creative at all. With Seibert as interim ECD, that may not do it either. He was the ECD for Miracle Whip and why the agency lost the business. FCB is rumored to be wooing State Farm. They already do direct ads for them. Dell business to business is out the door. Dell is happy with BBDO Atlanta. Frankly their work is far superior to old DDB work.
November 23, 2007 at 9:55 am
the fore mentioned people were GCDs not ECDs. Sorry.
December 6, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Kevin, you are wrong about Dell and BBDO Atlanta. They lost that account back in July. The announcement said it was because BBDO won the Best Buy account and that Dell felt this was a conflict of interest. Inside accounts however seemed to indicate that it had more to do with a really bad interactive pitch, and the fact that they really don’t have the kind of capability for a client like Dell.