Tustin-based alPunto Advertising, which focuses on Hispanic marketing, just landed an account.
AlPunto beat out several undisclosed shops to be named Hispanic agency of record for Robbins Bros. Corp., which dubs itself “The World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store.”
Eduardo Bottger, al-Punto president, said Spanish language advertising will start rolling out this summer in Southern California.
Glendale-based Robbins Bros. has more than 10 stores in California and Texas, including ones in Mission Viejo and Fullerton.
AlPunto plans to play off Robbins Bros.’ English language marketing, which features owners Skip and Steve Robbins.
“We are exploring a creative direction that will introduce the brand in an amusing way to the Hispanic audience,” Bottger said.
Robert Parker, vice president of marketing for Robbins Bros., said alPunto is expected to help the company make “significant inroads” with the Hispanic market.
“They demonstrated excellent insight into the market and intimate knowledge of the media landscape,” Parker said.
The OC shop has already been hunting for some workers to help handle a spike in work. In the past year, alPunto hired some 10 employees and is looking for more.
The OC shop has about 50 workers.
Presidential Style
Newport Beach-based Toes on the Nose is enjoying some bragging rights.
The clothing maker recently got a call from a White House staffer for President Bush, who asked the company to create a custom Hawaiian shirt for Bush’s 61st birthday in early July.
The senior gift officer wanted something that was laid back, fun, whimsical and showed Bush’s favorite things, the company said.
“It’s not every day that you get a call from the White House,” said Richard Allred, president of Toes on the Nose. “The first reaction was that this must be some sort of July 4th prank. But when we realized it was for real, we couldn’t imagine a greater honor.”
Reed Robinson, Toes on the Nose designer, worked 48 hours straight to come up with an original design.
The men’s short-sleeve button-up shirt features the president’s personal favorites and professional achievements, such as the presidential seal, an iPod, puzzle pieces, a bookmark, the Yale logo, Camp David, Air Force One and his dog, Barney, the company said.
The shirt has his initials “G.W.B.” on the right sleeve and “President Bush” written below the signature of Toes on the Nose.
Usually, custom orders like this one take two to three months, the company said.
But Toes on the Nose cranked this out in six days.
Bush’s senior advisers presented the shirt to him on his birthday.
Toes on the Nose makes T-shirts, surf trunks and more for men and women, and accessories, such as hats. The company has a store in Laguna Beach.
Brands at ASR
There’s expected to be more than 135 new brands showing off their garb at the Action Sports Retailer Trade Expo in San Diego from Sept. 7 to 9.
Andy Tompkins, show director of San Juan Capistrano-based ASR, said the big “influx” indicates that “this is the event emerging brands look to for a strong start in action sports.”
ASR draws thousands of buyers wanting to see the newest garb from surf, skate and snow apparel companies, many of which are based in OC. They include Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver Inc., Irvine-based Billabong USA, Costa Mesa-based Rip Curl USA and Costa Mesa-based Volcom Inc.
This show is expected to feature several new swim lines, including one from Volcom.
The clothing maker is rolling out women’s swimsuits as part of a bid to grow sales.
Carlsbad-based Reef is also debuting swimsuits at the show. The company recently moved to new offices and is coming out with fresh garb, such as closed-toe shoes, sundresses and more.
Cattle Call
Huntington Beach-based MKM is getting the word out about a cattle drive that’s slated for July 26 in Huntington Beach.
There’s about 100 steers expected to be herded by 25 riders and cowboys, starting from the intersection of Goldenwest Street and Pacific Coast Highway and heading south to the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing, which is being held at the Huntington Pier.
The cattle drive gives exposure to the Orange County Fair, which runs through Aug. 5 in Costa Mesa, and the U.S. Open of Surfing, which draws its own crowds for surfing and other events that run until July 29.
More Workers
Costa Mesa-based Innovate Media Group is on the hunt for two more workers.
The shop, which does online marketing and more, has more than doubled its staff in the past year, going from three employees to seven.
The shop recently moved to bigger offices after needing room for more edit bays and a few new salespeople.
