Carat and Beiersdorf Inc. confirm Carat’s appointment as its new agency for media planning and buying services.

The appointment, announced today, is following a four month review process that select agencies including incumbent OMD took part in.

As its new agency of record, Carat, an Aegis Media Group company, will provide media strategy, planning and buying services for Beiersdorf’s NIVEA, NIVEA for Men, Eucerin and Aquaphor brands within the US. Beiersdorf will continue to work with OMD’s Green Room Entertainment for its branded entertainment initiatives.

Nicolas Maurer, Vice President of Marketing for Beiersdorf Inc. commented, “We were extremely impressed by Carat’s strategic vision and thorough understanding of our consumers’ media mind set. Through insightful targeting of our consumers, Carat will help us maximize our media investment and increase efficiencies. The full integration of our media planning efforts will build larger, even more breakthrough programs.”

Martin Cass, President of Carat, added “On behalf of the entire Carat team, and the Aegis Media group, we are delighted to be working with Beiersdorf here in the United States. They are a company that shares our consumer-led approach, and we can’t wait to start working together.”

Beiersdorf Inc partners with creative agencies TBWA and Draft FCB for its creative work.

About Beiersdorf AG

Beiersdorf AG, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is a leading international company of branded consumer products for skin and beauty care. Beiersdorf stands for leading international brands like NIVEA, Eucerin, la prairie, Juvena, Labello, 8x4, Futuro, Florena, Hansaplast/Elastoplast and Tesa, 125 years of experience in research and development, and strong international presence. For more information, visit www.beiersdorf.com.

About Carat

Carat, an Aegis Media Group company, is a global independent media communications network, with over 100 offices in over 80 countries. Carat provides a full range of services including media and market research; communications planning; media planning and buying; multicultural communications; corporate trade; branded entertainment; direct and digital marketing; experiential and sponsorship services; and marketing analytics and consulting. For more information, visit the company's website at www.carat.com.

Iris is set to launch its branded entertainment unit, which will focus on producing advertiser-funded content in several platforms.

Iris Studios will allow clients to be actively involved in the production process, as well as content planning and development process.

Iris’ executive director, Shaun McIlrath, will head the unit along with Henry Scotland, the company’s director of experiential marketing.

The new unit will have a new creative team, which specializes in television content.

The first project will focus on the second series of Sony Ericsson’s Pocket TV, a mobile branded music show that has live sessions and interviews with promising artists.
 
 

Philips and DDB will launch a series of five short online films next April, following the partnership’s successful award-winning interactive film—Carousel.

“Parallel Lines” was launched the Philips Cinema website and on its respective Facebook page. The series will officially launch on April 8.

The series is the culmination of the work of five filmmakers from Ridley Scott Associates (RSA). These works include drama, action, animation, and sci-fi.

For Philips, the production marks the third consecutive year that the company has invested in long-form branded entertainment.
 

James Shaver, of the Adrenaline Partnership LLC, brand stewards of the Fireball Run Adventurally®, an annual 75 team 3500 mile enthusiast rally, today announced the launch of its affiliate program. “We believe this to be a first ever affiliate program for a luxury event of our type” said Shaver, Managing Partner, and retired CEO of BroadbandUSA. “We are taking a unique approach to branded entertainment by handing the “keys” to participation over to affiliates who reach our demographic and allowing everyone in the process to prosper from it.”

The affiliate announcement also marks Fireball Run’s return to an exclusive invitation only event. “Now the only way to participate in the adventure is through our affiliate partners,” explained Shaver, “this ensures affiliate partners are rewarded for their efforts. If you have a luxury or business based audience one simply needs to click on the affiliate link available at our web site, http://www.FirebalRun.com and sign up.”

Fireball Run is one of the largest annual motoring events in the country, named in honor of late NASCAR legend, Glenn “Fireball” Roberts. NOT A RACE, Fireball Run teams are playing an interactive adventure game, networking, and meeting with community leaders.

Fireball Run teams are also on a higher mission; recover America’s Missing Children. Each team is assigned a missing child. The child’s image and stats are affixed to the vehicle, creating a “rolling milk carton”. Everywhere teams stop, they ask, “Have you seen this child?” and leave a poster behind. The Race to Recover America’s Missing Children is the longest recovery effort for missing children in history.

“The Fireball Run is a people’s event, comprised of the best our country has to offer; leaders of community and commerce sharing their affection for the open road while aiding in an effort to assist others,” said J. Sanchez, an avid rally driver, retired Air Force Crew Chief and the events Executive Director. “The Fireball Run is a proud expression of automotive enthusiasm, rich in ethnic, cultural, and lifestyle diversity through both enterprise and community celebration.”

About The Fireball Run

The festivities start September 23rd in Lake Las Vegas Nevada and finish 9 days later in Wisconsin. The invitational has attracted teams from around the world to play the 3,500 mile, nine day adventure game. Notable entries include an all-woman Bentley Team, a Batmobile, a team of police officers, an 18 wheeler, and the Time Car from Back to the Future II.