Tustin-based Beard Boy Productions is keeping a close watch on the economy.
Mike Smith, Beard Boy executive producer, said some clients are reacting to “diminishing consumer demand” that’s being brought on by “the well-documented economic difficulties our nation is now facing.”
“It looks like there may be a slowdown on the horizon,” Smith said.
So far, though, “early indications are that we are on pace to equal last year’s billings,” Smith said.
Beard Boy, founded by two agency scriptwriters, said work has been steady. The shop is on its way to hitting the 500 mark of produced television spots, radio commercials and corporate videos since starting in 1990.
Beard Boy is ramping up efforts to bring in more work by increasing its own promotion and new business efforts, Smith said.
“It’s the advice we always give our clients and we’re taking that advice ourselves,” Smith said.
The company says it likes to keep a “low overhead, no nonsense philosophy” which helps it attract more business and offer lower prices.
|
|
Actor Leslie Nielsen: featured in commercials Beard Boy did for Arizona Federal Credit Union |
The shop recently set up an alliance with Clear Channel Katz Advantage, a radio station marketing company, to help give clients “exceptional rates on media placement,” Smith said.
The deal also uses alternative media, such as cell phones, Internet advertising and handheld devices, for marketing.
“It’s showing early promise,” Smith said.
He said the shop recently hired a producer in the Midwest to help handle projects coming from the eastern half of the country.
So far, much of it is coming from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, which recently gave the OC shop several projects, Smith said.
Beard Boy’s also been working on a couple of other new projects, including some cable TV spots for The MarketPlace shopping center in Irvine. It also helped ad agency RiechesBaird in Irvine with some video work for a client.
Beard Boy, which has three employees, doesn’t expect to hire any additional workers this year “unless new business dictates,” Smith said.
“We do use dozens of freelancers in OC and elsewhere for our shoots,” Smith said.
The shop recently wrapped up work on four TV spots for the Arizona Federal Credit Union. The commercials featured actor Leslie Nielsen.
LatinoLandia Hires Principal
Irvine-based Hispanic advertising shop LatinoLandia USA Inc. brought in an executive to help grow its business.
The shop hired principal Diego Cantu to develop marketing campaigns for new and existing clients. He will also head LatinoLandia’s new office in Austin, Texas.
The shop recently created Cantu’s position.
Joseph Albonetti, president of LatinoLandia, said Cantu “brings a fresh and aggressive creative attitude” to the shop’s creative team.
Cantu has more than 12 years of experience as a writer and producer of U.S. Hispanic marketing. Previously, he was senior vice president and executive creative director at Accentmarketing in Miami and at Latinworks Marketing in Austin.
Cantu is expected to help LatinoLandia become more cutting edge in its advertising campaigns.
“Since the marketplace, and most importantly, consumers, are evolving, it is extremely important to be able to offer clients expertise in emerging media technologies,” Cantu said. “LatinoLandia understands that tomorrow, leverage won’t come primarily from size but knowledge.”
LatinoLandia’s clients include Lake Forest-based Del Taco Inc., University of California, Irvine and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team.
Hyundai Sticks with Hamon
Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America Inc. recently reviewed contenders for its brochures work.
But the automaker stuck with the incumbent on the account.
Santa Monica-based advertising shop Hamon & Associates, which has done Hyundai’s brochure work since 2002, went up against three other undisclosed shops to defend the business.
Hyundai decided to stick with Hamon. The shop is slated to design and produce brochures for all 2009 vehicles and auto shows, as well as materials found in dealer showrooms.
Hyundai has been taking a close look at shops that handle its advertising.
The automaker recently swapped media buyers. It tapped Interpublic Group of Cos.’ Initiative. Aegis Group PLC’s Carat previously handled the work.
L & A; Riding 2007 Momentum
Irvine-based L & A; Marketing and Advertising Inc. was on a roll heading into 2008.
The OC shop and its sibling Garden of E, which does online marketing and Web design, said they picked up 10 clients in the third and fourth quarters.
New accounts for L & A; include furniture retailer Galleria Inc., The White Sands of La Jolla retirement community, Realm Real Estate Professionals and Premier Commercial Bank.
Meantime, Garden of E was hired by several clients for Web site design and development including Luther Burbank Savings and Loan and retirement communities Regents Point and Royal Oaks Manor.
