Campbell Ewald

At an all company meeting yesterday, Campbell Ewald‘s Vice Chairman/Chief Creative Officer President/CEO Bill Ludwig explains the new logo and tag-line (“starting the conversation”). Apparently, he got to former tattooed on his arm, which will be awkward if the agency decides to change things up. Anyway, we want proof! Update It’s true (according to the agency’s Facebook wall)! See pic after the jump.

Also, the shop is getting rid of VP, SVP and EVP titles &#151 which means people are like, bummed that they’re just “normal” now. A former Campbell employee commented, “But they have all these extra Vs and Ps sitting around! What the hell will they do with them: hire the entire Van Patten clan (from Dick to Vince)?” No no, that’s not in the budget.

More: “GM Consolidates And Campbell-Ewald Loses A Love”

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If you’re inside Warren, Michigan based Campbell Ewald advertising, you’ve spent the last few months praying for Chevy to stick around. Today it seems the shop still has some friends upstairs; we hear they’ve retained Chevy trucks, the Olympics and probably the most important piece, Volt (and possibly the entire upcoming line of vehicles in the alternative fuel arena).

The Volt is Chevrolet’s entrant to the all electric vehicle market, and though it does have a gas engine for backup, its 40 mile electric-engine range makes it a leader. It’s success is Campbell Ewald’s survival, in many ways.

The news comes as Tony Hopp, the agency’s CEO, prepares to step down. Now it’s up to successor Bill Ludwig and whatever staff remain to make the work work. So long as they stay away from sing-alongs, everything should be OK for this Michigan agency.

As for the bad news: they’ve reportedly lost some of the car work to a yet-unnamed Publicis agency, sources confirmed early this morning. However, the car work will only stay with Publicis for six months. Reasoning for this is unclear.

Update: Publicis Seattle and Dallas are responsible for that agency’s Chevrolet win, according to a note emailed to staff earlier today, from Chairman and CEO of Publicis USA Susan Giannino. The takeaway, both agencies participated, the door is open for more GM work, and digital is a heavy theme. Also, Bob Moore lead the way. The email: “I wanted everyone to know that Publicis has won a very important project assignment from Chevrolet. This was due to a joint effort between Seattle and Dallas, with the Creative led by Bob Moore. Importantly, this is an integrated assignment with Digital playing a key role as well. I’ll be sending out more information on the assignment, but I just wanted everyone to know this is a great win that opens the door for General Motors. Congratulations to the team from Seattle and Dallas. This is a great way to end 2009 and begin 2010″

More: “Tony Hopp Steps Down as CEO of Campbell Ewald”

With its logo emblazoned on the top right, it looks like Campbell-Ewald has launched the microsite ThankyouTonyHopp.com to pay tribute to its former chairman/CEO, who stepped down earlier this month after spending 41 years at the agency. It’s too bad the nearly 5-minute video of various folks sharing their thoughts isn’t embeddable, but once you visit the homepage, you can view it as well as hundreds of comments, remembrances and well-wishes.

More: “Tony Hopp’s Email to C-E Staff About Chevy Review: Timid”

In a statement to employees, Campbell Ewald CEO Tony Hopp informed that he’s stepping down, to be replaced by Bill Ludwig, the agency’s chief creative and strategic officer.

Here’s the statement:

Leadership transition is a critical time for any company…which is why it’s critical to start thinking about it long before it happens. When I first began formulating and finalizing a plan back in 2003 for who would replace me as CEO when I someday retired, I knew Bill Ludwig was the right person for the job.

That “someday” has finally arrived.

I am excited to officially announce my retirement as Campbell-Ewald’s Chairman and CEO at the end of this year, and just as excited to welcome our Vice Chairman, Chief Creative Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer Bill Ludwig into the role.

More than just a creative and strategic leader, Bill is a true visionary who establishes deep client relationships and is passionate about pursuing consumer engagement on behalf of our clients.

It has been a privilege and honor to work alongside Bill and the great Campbell-Ewald people, and I look forward to supporting Bill and his team over the next four years in my new (part-time) role as senior advisor.

You’ve heard me say it a hundred times, but I’ll say it again: When we’re at our best, there is no one better. It is our people who make Campbell-Ewald a great place to work &#151 thank you for many shared years of commitment to excellence.

And please join me in congratulating Bill on his new role and in wishing him all the best!

Tony Hopp

The news comes on the same day as GM CEO Fritz Henderson made the same announcement. Hopp will step down by the end of the year. He’s been with the agency for 41 years. The agency announced the decision earlier tonight.

Hopp has been CEO for 13 years and will continue in an advisory role, working part time, through 2013.

More: “Tony Hopp’s Email to Campbell Ewald Staff About Chevy Review: Timid”

Tips are trickling in telling us Campbell Ewald is laying people off today. If you know more about what’s going on, please email agencyspy at mediabistro dot com. You can also Tweet us via @agencyspy, IM at agencyspy or call our tip line, 212.547.7935.

Update: Confirmed. Still no details.

Update 2: We’ve managed to get some details from an anonymous source. Word is about 30 people will be let go today, and the process will be similar to the last time &#151 ie cardboard boxes are prepared and people are being asked to leave immediately. Not sure if they’ll be allowed to box up their things and leave or if they’ll leave the boxing to HR. If you recall, the last round went this way, and laid off employees came back to the office and were handed their boxes outside. Like a drive-thru.

We’re also hearing that EVP, Director Human Resources Debbie Osborn is not in the office today and that someone else is swinging the proverbial ax. That glass door must feel extra heavy today.

No word on how much severance is being doled out.

More: “Tony Hopp’s Email to Campbell Ewald Staff About Chevy Review: Timid”

Today AdAge announced that Campbell Ewald will remain Chevrolet’s lead agency. Meanwhile, the automaker has opened up its doors to other shops, to whom it will present RFPs for various assignments. You can read the whole thing here. Tony Hopp, chairman and CEO of CE, sent an internal memo to staff regarding the news.

“Earlier this week, I met with Brent Dewar, Vice President, Global Chevrolet Brand, regarding Chevrolet’s plans to include a broader set of agencies in competition for new brand and product campaigns. (ed: um, and? what’d he say?)

“Just as the new General Motors is committed to reinventing itself and the personal transportation business, Campbell-Ewald remains committed to delivering business driving solutions to Chevrolet every day. We will continue to do what we are currently doing for Chevrolet and will be part of any project put up for competition. (ed: yeah, of course you’re going to compete and of course you’re committed to delivering business driving solutions, but what did Dewar say?)

“Thank you for elevating the value that Campbell-Ewald provides for each of our clients every day &#151 for every opportunity. These are exciting times, and we have the strength, capabilities and passion to build on our industry leadership and the growth of our business.” (ed: yeah, you’re welcome. but these are scary times, not exciting. now, what the heck did Dewar say?)

Not only does this email lack the confidence Campbell Ewalders probably need right now, it leaves a gaping hole regarding what’s going to happen to the business. No one likes rhetoric, but next time let’s consider not leading with “so I was talking with this guy who pays our bills and well, let’s just say we’re going to keep working really, really hard for him.”

More: “Campbell Ewald Keeps An Account &#151 U.S. Mint”

Campbell Ewald is trying to jump start their engine. Their new site, despite looking like Modernista’s, is one example. Another tactic: grab every government account within reach. The EPA account is theirs, and they retained the Navy work after a mandatory review. And Crain’s Detroit reports that they’re also keeping the U.S. Mint after a review.

Apparently it will be CE’s job to help the Mint, which is part of the U.S. Treasury Dept (obvs), launch new products. Er, moneys. Though the agency has seen one of its toughest years, retaining this business is definitely a plus. Other details about the win have not been made public.

More: “A Christmas Miracle: Campbell Ewald Retains Navy”

Campbell-Ewald launched their newly redesigned site yesterday and from the looks of it, we’ve seen this web-traversing song n’ dance before and arguably done more cleverly.

From Wikipedia info to the YouTube vids to the Facebook presence, all accessible through their homepage, C-E seems to have lifted a few ideas from Modernista’s playbook.

Update: Looks like someone has taken the liberty afforded by Wikipedia to more bluntly state how they feel about C-E’s redesign.

More: “Campbell Ewald Tackles Lead Poisoning”

While their pitch for the Gap business might not have worked out just yet, Campbell-Ewald has trudged forth and landed a 30-month, $1 million contract with the EPA to handle the government firm’s awareness campaign to combat childhood lead poisoning.

Crain’s Detroit Business reports that C-E will target print, broadcast and online work at building owners, supers, contractors, DIY-ers, trade associations and other potential contaminators.

More: “We Hear: Campbell-Ewald Pitching Gap”

Sources familiar with the matter tell AgencySpy that Campbell Ewald is among the agencies pitching the Gap business.

Since 2001, Gap’s business has been in the hands of Laird & Partners. As Adage notes, this is the client’s first time going outside that agency in 7 years.

A spy notes, Campbell-Ewald “desperately needs the business to survive &#151 but has a snow ball’s chance in hell of getting it.”

More: “Accounts That Should Be Up For Review: The Gap”