In a statement,  Patron VP of marketing Jennifer Pisciotta says, “As we look to build on the brand’s premium positioning within the tequila and ultra-premium white spirits categories, we must ignite the unique passion people have for Patrón. Our product is different than the rest of our category, right down to each individual bottle, and Cramer-Krasselt has demonstrated they are the ideal partner to help us show off this truly special product.” From what the parties involved say, Patron was inspired by C-K NY’s holiday work for the brand. We’re awaiting links on this one.

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“During the past five and a half years, C-K has enjoyed a great relationship with Porsche and we look forward to continued success together.

After the client’s best sales year ever in 2012, the best Q1 in their history to kick off 2013, and all of the industry recognition for smart strategic and creative thinking, we know we’re onto something good as PCNA’s agency partner.

When reviews like this happen – and this was a long and thorough one – it’s a good reminder for everyone that we are prepared for the challenge to work just as hard for our clients now as we were the day we were invited to their first pitch.

In the end, the proof is in the results. And Porsche has them.”

Peter Krivkovich”

As we mentioned last week, sources in the know were telling us that Porsche narrowed down its creative review to incumbent C-K, which has handled the account since 2007,  and Minneapolis-based Olson.

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We’re hearing that C-K, which has handled the account since 2007, is now battling it out with just a couple of the other finalists reported by Adweek in February including Droga5, CP+B Miami, Olson (when reached, wouldn’t comment, referred inquiries to client) and McKinney. Yep, it’s still a crapshoot, but we hope you’re appeased for now. As has been reported, you probably shouldn’t expect anything until end of month/early next, but who thinks C-K will retain? Feel free to weigh in.

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We truly had no idea the creative account was in review for retail chain Burlington Coat Factory, where we’ve bought our share of oversized jackets and what not back in the day for half the price. But apparently, it is so, and from what we’re hearing from sources in the know, Silver+Partners–aka, the Eric Silver-run, New York-based shop formerly known as Amalgamated–is in the mix. S+P would not comment on the matter and we’ve yet to hear back from BCF, which has worked most recently with Cramer-Krasselt.

Building on what we initially reported a month ago, C-K hasn’t worked with the brand for the past three months and only did project work involving concepting creative but did not produce actual creative, which was handled in-house by the client. This, like before, leaves us a bit confused considering that in 2008, it was reported that Burlington Coat Factory awarded the agency its creative duties following a review. Whatever the case, C-K was invited to participated in BCF’s current review, but declined. While spies are saying Silver+Partners is taking on the biz, we’re hearing that it’s yet to be awarded. We’ll keep you posted.

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Nearly five years after winning the creative ad duties for Burlington Coat Factory, we’ve received confirmation that Cramer-Krasselt’s New York office is no longer working with said client. In fact, we’ve been told that C-K has not been working on the business for the past two months and when asked to participate in the review, the agency declined. C-K picked up the biz in 2008 after BCF worked in-house on creative for nearly a year.

Interestingly enough, though, we’re getting word from those familiar that the agency’s NY branch, which has been opened for nearly a decade, only did project work involving concepting creative for BCF and that C-K did not produce actual creative, just handled production (Updated: BCF actually handled production). We’re trying to get some clarification from Burlington Coat Factory on the matter. We’ll keep you posted.

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Four months after being appointed as the first national integrated agency for Vera Bradley without a review, Chicago-based Cramer-Krasselt’s relationship with the 30-year-old luggage/handbag/accessories brand has come to an end. Sources familiar with the matter tell us that C-K, which was tapped to handle advertising, brand strategy and PR among other things for Vera Bradley, was working on a national product launch that was planned for the Indiana-based brand next year.

But after completing a launch plan and working with existing Vera Bradley agencies in Indiana, sources say that C-K was cut due to VB taking aspects of the launch program internally and choosing to continue working with existing agencies. From what we’ve been told, internal changes and budget considerations at Vera Bradley both played major roles in the company’s decision.

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Prior to his top creative post at Saatchi, Green worked as a a copywriter at the Sydney offices of both JWT and Leo Burnett during his career. It’ll be a while, though, before Green makes the transition from Geneva to Chicago as he won’t officially be taking the ECD reins at C-K until August. When he arrives, he’ll be taking over for Kevin Flatt, who joined C-K two years ago and will shift to the newly created position of SVP, digital and design director at the agency.

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After a review, Cramer-Krasselt Chicago has been tapped to handle the estimated $50 million integrated account for Cedar Fair, the amusement/water park company that runs the likes of Cedar Point and Knott’s Berry Farm. As both advertising and PR AOR for Cedar Fair, C-K will tackle everything from branding/advertising and digital/retail to media buying/planning and social media for all ten of the brand’s amusement parks in the U.S.

Expect Cramer-Krasselt’s first efforts for Cedar Fair to break next spring. Prior to C-K, Pittsburgh-based Yellow Submarine (which was formed by MARC USA alums) served as creative AOR while PR was handled internally.

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If you live in Chicago and don’t live on a shack built several miles offshore in the middle Lake Michigan, odds are you know of someone who will be running in the 26.2-mile long Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9. Really, is there anything more annoying than someone humble-bragging about how much work it takes to be in such good shape before asking you to donate money to their cause? That is, unless you have someone like Cramer-Krasselt AD Brandon Knowlden working at your office.

Knowlden is actually giving something to those willing to sponsor his race, and those who donate will get their choice of one of three pretty awesome personalized prints representing training for the marathon, running the marathon and finishing the marathon. Knowlden’s training sessions are broken into short, medium and long runs, and interested parties will sponsor $30, $40 and $50 for these runs respectively, with all proceeds going to the American Liver Foundation. Each print will come with the sponsor’s name and the distance and the average speed Knowlden ran.

One person who sponsors the marathon itself for $100 gets all three prints. If you’re a Chicagoan and like reppin’ your hometown’s flag and skyline, any of these prints would look great framed in your house. I don’t know this guy, but I’m donating for the print and the story behind it. Donate to Knowlden’s run here.

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Another summer means another batch of interns at Cramer-Krasselt Chicago and another edition of “Camp Krasselt,” where young advertisers from around the globe converge on the Windy City. There will be advertising, there will be drama, there will be high-pressure deadlines and maybe, if we’re lucky, there will be some romance mixed in too.

The 10 campers at Camp Krasselt hail from all over the world and range from young 19-year-old account manager Caroline Lendl from the University of Alabama all the way to seasoned 28-year-old copywriter Marty Muthuswami of Port Huron, Michigan. Some advice for this new batch of campers: don’t drink from the Chicago River unless you want to risk growing another limb, the term “flash-mob” means something entirely different in Chicago, and what happens at ad camp stays at ad camp.

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Well, he’s joining AdoTube as vice president of platform development in the company’s Chicago office. What’s AdoTube? We’re glad you asked. AdoTube is “a complete in-stream/in-video solution that enables each part of the industry (agencies, advertisers and publishers) to have easy and efficient access to in-stream ads.” We’re left to wonder, is this move away from agencies permanent for Mandelbaum? Or, is he just taking a much-needed break after a career that’s included stints at C-K, Saatchi & Saatchi and Razorfish? While you’re left deep in thought, here’s Mandelbaum and Wyclef to hold you over.

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A phone call to C-K led to some confused murmuring, a full voice mailbox, more confused murmuring and some guy named Dylan who had no idea how we got his number and then dumped us off to the voice mailbox from SVP Bridget Stack. Then, we received what we believe to be an internal memo from Stack. Read the full memo below.

Update: We just got official word that Mandelbaum is “no longer with C-K Chicago.”

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During his 20-year tenure at C-K in their Phoenix and Milwaukee offices, Melamed worked on clients ranging from the Blue Man Group to the University of Phoenix to Cox Communications. Before C-K, Melamed spent nine years at Hoffman York.

As for Bloomquist, who joined C-K Phoenix in 2009, the exec’s industry experience includes a decade working at Deustch as partner director of account management, where she helped open the agency’s Los Angeles office and worked with clients like Coors, Experdia, TGI Fridays, Burger King and Direct TV. She’s also had stints at DDB NY and J. Walter Thompson in Chicago.

C-K president/CEO Peter Krivkovich wished Melamed well in a statement, saying, “We’re going to miss him as he revs up his Harley. But knowing John, he’ll keep circling back and checking on Kristin, who is every bit like John, just without a Harley.” The office also surprised Melamed with a series of billboards placed around the Phoenix area. Ok, the graphics could use some help, but one follows after the jump.

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Just over three months after Toy New York shut down operations, we’ve learned that the agency’s co-founder Anne Bologna has wound up as EVP/GM of Cramer-Krasselt’s New York office.

While her old cohort Ari Merkin rejoined his buddies at Crispin, Bologna will replace Jeff Johnson at C-K. After four years in the EVP/GM post, Johnson is relocating to the West Coast and getting the hell out of the advertising biz to focus on his work as a psychologist, consultant and author.

In a statement, Bologna says, “Cramer-Krasselt was the perfect fit for me at the perfect time. Even as one of the largest independent agencies in the U.S., C-K acts like a start-up. It’s entrepreneurial and collaborative, with the benefits of highly integrated resources and a reputation for very smart creative. Basically, it’s everything an agency should be today, which means nothing stands in the way of creating the right solutions for clients. Truth be told, I consider this one of the best jobs in advertising.”

More: “Kevin Flatt Promoted to ECD at Cramer Krasselt Chicago”

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For C-K’s part this is a clear move in the digital direction. Also, they are a bit stalkery: “We’ve been watching Kevin for a long time and feel his unique blend of experience&#151including design, advertising, and of course, his huge digital strengths&#151is an ideal fit for the agency,” said Marshall Ross, EVP/chief creative officer of Cramer-Krasselt.

Flatt will bolster the shop’s burgeoning digital offering. “We’re already a very good digital shop,” said Ross, “and we’ve been steadily adding talent and resources as part of our aspiration to be one of the best.”

When the news of Flatt’s departure from Arc leaked late last week, tips and calls began coming in claiming that many former Tribal employees followed Flatt to Arc and are less than happy about his departure. A Leo burnett representative did not respond by the time this story was filed, and we have not been able to confirm names or titles of any alleged followers. But you know, if true, bummer.

Flatt joined the agency in March, 2009. He begins June 1.

More: “Kevin Flatt Lands at Leo Burnett/Arc”

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