Campbell Mithun
Encyclopedia
Campbell Mithun is an advertising
and marketing
firm, founded in 1933 by Ralph Campbell and Ray Mithun. It is now part of Interpublic Group of Communication Companies
. The core business is consumer advertising through radio, TV, print, digital, mobile and out-of-home. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Campbell Mithun opened in the midst of the Great Depression during a time of widespread business closings and bank failures. Mr. Campbell was president for 10 years and chairman for four years before retiring in 1947. He died in 1949 at the age of 63. Ray Mithun hired Albert R. Whitman, a top executive at Benton & Bowles in New York City.
1950s–1960s
By the late 1950s and early 1960s, Campbell–Mithun was highly regarded within the advertising industry for its creative work. One of the ad campaigns that propelled the company was the "Land of Sky Blue Waters" television spot for Hamm's beer. The success of this campaign led to many other accounts across the country such as Toro, Interstate Bakery and General Mills.
1960
Al Whitman is named agency president; Ray Mithun becomes chairman.
1965-67
Campbell-Mithun works with puppeteer Jim Henson
on campaigns for La Choy
canned chow mein and Wilson's Certified Meats
.
1970
Stan Blunt is named president.
1972
George Gruenwald becomes president.
1976
The agency started Cash Plus Media Services, a media buying service. Now called Compass Point Media, the company helps clients maximize return on their spot broadcast investments by using in-market negotiations. They offer stations a combination of cash plus high-quality TV specials that deliver superior media efficiencies for client schedules.
1980
With $250 million in billings, Campbell Mithun became the largest agency west of the Mississippi River. Campbell Mithun partnered with some of Minnesota's largest corporations and with major consumer and business-to-business clients across the country. Bill Dunlap becomes president and CEO.
1986
London-based Saatchi & Saatchi, a publicly owned company, purchased Ted Bates Worldwide, and Bates subsidiaries Campbell Mithun and William Esty. In the same year, ConAgra's Healthy Choice was added to the client roster. Campbell Mithun and William Esty agency merged to become Campbell Mithun Esty (CME) in 1988, with combined billings of $740 million.
1989
One of the icons and legends of Minneapolis advertising, Ray Mithun, was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.
1990s
CME management and Interpublic Group of Companies entered into joint ownership of CME in 1995. In 1998, at the age of 89, co-founder Ray Mithun died.
2001
The agency airs its first super bowl spot for H &R Block
And Campbell Mithun got the naming rights for its headquarters building, Campbell Mithun Tower. As part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Campbell Mithun also has offices in California and New York and continues to service clients from its headquarters offices in the Campbell Mithun Tower in Minneapolis.
2005
In 2005, Jonathan Hoffman joins Campbell Mithun. He is named Campbell Mithun President and Chief Creative Officer. Previously, Hoffman was a vice chairman at Leo Burnett. In addition to agency management responsibilities, he led notable campaigns, including efforts for Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain, Polaroid i-Zone, Nintendo, Procter & Gamble, The U.S. Army and the Beef Council. Hoffman's honors include six Cannes Lions, three Clios, six EFFIES (three of which were Gold), and three Finalist honors from the Kelly Awards. He received an Addy Award for “Best of Show” and has been featured in the D&AD Book. A native New Yorker, Hoffman started his career at Campbell Mithun before moving to DDB Needham in Chicago. He joined Leo Burnett in 1991. During his tenure at the agency, Hoffman spent two years leading the Warsaw office with Jarek Ziebinski where they achieved significant business and creative success.
2007
In 2007, Steve Wehrenberg is named Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President for Campbell Mithun.
2008
On April 1, 2008 Campbell Mithun celebrated its 75th Anniversary. “You Got People” won top Account Planning honors in the Service Brand category for the 2008 American Association of Advertising Agencies Jay Chiat Planning Award. Campbell Mithun was the only Minneapolis agency to win an award of this kind.
2009
This year started out well for the agency when they won a silver pencil from the One Show for The Unconvention campaign.
The agency is currently managed by CEO Steve Wehrenberg and President Rachael Marret and is 1 of only 13 North American agencies that have been in business at least 75 years and are still operating under their original name.
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
and marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
firm, founded in 1933 by Ralph Campbell and Ray Mithun. It is now part of Interpublic Group of Communication Companies
Interpublic Group of Companies
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. is one of the "big four" global advertising holding companies . Headquartered in New York City, it has 41,000 employees and reported full−year revenues of US$6.5 billion for 2010...
. The core business is consumer advertising through radio, TV, print, digital, mobile and out-of-home. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History
Early historyCampbell Mithun opened in the midst of the Great Depression during a time of widespread business closings and bank failures. Mr. Campbell was president for 10 years and chairman for four years before retiring in 1947. He died in 1949 at the age of 63. Ray Mithun hired Albert R. Whitman, a top executive at Benton & Bowles in New York City.
1950s–1960s
By the late 1950s and early 1960s, Campbell–Mithun was highly regarded within the advertising industry for its creative work. One of the ad campaigns that propelled the company was the "Land of Sky Blue Waters" television spot for Hamm's beer. The success of this campaign led to many other accounts across the country such as Toro, Interstate Bakery and General Mills.
1960
Al Whitman is named agency president; Ray Mithun becomes chairman.
1965-67
Campbell-Mithun works with puppeteer Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
on campaigns for La Choy
La Choy
La Choy is a brand name of canned and prepackaged American Chinese food ingredients. The brand was purchased in 1990 from Beatrice Foods by ConAgra Foods during the LBO firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts' dismantling of the company and is still currently a property of ConAgra.-Early history:La Choy was...
canned chow mein and Wilson's Certified Meats
Thomas E. Wilson
Thomas E. Wilson was the founder of Wilson Sporting Goods and the Wilson and Company meatpacking company.In 1917, he was hired to take over the management of a failing meat packing company in Chicago, which was subsequently named after him, making Wilson & Company the 3rd largest meat packing...
.
1970
Stan Blunt is named president.
1972
George Gruenwald becomes president.
1976
The agency started Cash Plus Media Services, a media buying service. Now called Compass Point Media, the company helps clients maximize return on their spot broadcast investments by using in-market negotiations. They offer stations a combination of cash plus high-quality TV specials that deliver superior media efficiencies for client schedules.
1980
With $250 million in billings, Campbell Mithun became the largest agency west of the Mississippi River. Campbell Mithun partnered with some of Minnesota's largest corporations and with major consumer and business-to-business clients across the country. Bill Dunlap becomes president and CEO.
1986
London-based Saatchi & Saatchi, a publicly owned company, purchased Ted Bates Worldwide, and Bates subsidiaries Campbell Mithun and William Esty. In the same year, ConAgra's Healthy Choice was added to the client roster. Campbell Mithun and William Esty agency merged to become Campbell Mithun Esty (CME) in 1988, with combined billings of $740 million.
1989
One of the icons and legends of Minneapolis advertising, Ray Mithun, was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.
1990s
CME management and Interpublic Group of Companies entered into joint ownership of CME in 1995. In 1998, at the age of 89, co-founder Ray Mithun died.
2001
The agency airs its first super bowl spot for H &R Block
And Campbell Mithun got the naming rights for its headquarters building, Campbell Mithun Tower. As part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Campbell Mithun also has offices in California and New York and continues to service clients from its headquarters offices in the Campbell Mithun Tower in Minneapolis.
2005
In 2005, Jonathan Hoffman joins Campbell Mithun. He is named Campbell Mithun President and Chief Creative Officer. Previously, Hoffman was a vice chairman at Leo Burnett. In addition to agency management responsibilities, he led notable campaigns, including efforts for Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain, Polaroid i-Zone, Nintendo, Procter & Gamble, The U.S. Army and the Beef Council. Hoffman's honors include six Cannes Lions, three Clios, six EFFIES (three of which were Gold), and three Finalist honors from the Kelly Awards. He received an Addy Award for “Best of Show” and has been featured in the D&AD Book. A native New Yorker, Hoffman started his career at Campbell Mithun before moving to DDB Needham in Chicago. He joined Leo Burnett in 1991. During his tenure at the agency, Hoffman spent two years leading the Warsaw office with Jarek Ziebinski where they achieved significant business and creative success.
2007
In 2007, Steve Wehrenberg is named Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President for Campbell Mithun.
2008
On April 1, 2008 Campbell Mithun celebrated its 75th Anniversary. “You Got People” won top Account Planning honors in the Service Brand category for the 2008 American Association of Advertising Agencies Jay Chiat Planning Award. Campbell Mithun was the only Minneapolis agency to win an award of this kind.
2009
This year started out well for the agency when they won a silver pencil from the One Show for The Unconvention campaign.
The agency is currently managed by CEO Steve Wehrenberg and President Rachael Marret and is 1 of only 13 North American agencies that have been in business at least 75 years and are still operating under their original name.
Projects
- "We treat you right" for Dairy QueenDairy QueenDairy Queen, often abbreviated DQ, is a chain of soft serve and fast food restaurants owned by International Dairy Queen, Inc, who also owns Orange Julius and Karmelkorn. The name "Dairy Queen" is taken from the name of their soft serve product, which the company refers to as "Dairy Queen" or...
- Penny MarshallPenny MarshallPenny Marshall is an American actress, producer and director.After playing several small roles for television, she was cast as Laverne DeFazio in the sitcom Laverne and Shirley...
& Rosie O'DonnellRosie O'DonnellRoseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
for KmartKmartKmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and... - "The Incredible, Edible EggThe Incredible, Edible Egg"The Incredible, Edible Egg" is a well-known marketing slogan for the American Egg Board.It was created in 1977 by the advertising agency Campbell Mithun.-External links:*...
" for the American Egg BoardAmerican Egg BoardThe American Egg Board is a United States marketing board, which focuses on marketing and promotion of eggs for human consumption.The AEB is best known for its long-running slogan, "The Incredible, Edible Egg," created by the advertising agency Campbell Mithun.The board is a checkoff organization,... - "Change your latitude" for Corona Beer
- "Where's the cream filling?" for Hostess snack cakes
- "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" for Unilever's Klondike ice cream bar
- "Every body needs Milk" for the American Dairy Association
- "Tough Under Fire" for Master Lock featuring a commercial with a bullet shot through one of the locks on one of the first Super Bowl telecasts
- "Come home to Andersen" for Andersen Windows
- “Oh, Those Golden Grahams” for Golden Grahams cereal
- “Count on it” for Toro lawnmowers and snow throwers
- Willie Nelson in tax trouble for an H&R Block Super Bowl commercial
- “Where’s Your Nature Valley?” for Nature Valley Granola Bars
- “The Bold Look of Kohler” for Kohler kitchen and bath fixtures
- “There’s only one Jeep” for Chrysler’s Jeep SUV
Clients
- Alberto CulverAlberto-CulverAlberto-Culver is an American corporation with international sales whose principal business is manufacturing hair and skin beauty care products under such brands as Alberto VO5, Andrew Collinge, St. Ives , TRESemmé, FDS, Consort, and Nexxus. It is a manufacturer in the multicultural beauty care...
- ALS AssociationALS AssociationThe ALS Association is an American non profit organization that raises money for research and patient services, promotes awareness about and advocates in state and federal government on issues related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also known as Lou Gehrig's disease...
- BreyersBreyersBreyers is a brand of frozen dessert and ice cream owned by Unilever . They have a large plant in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, outside Boston....
Good Humor - Burger KingBurger KingBurger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
- Chipotle Mexican GrillChipotle Mexican GrillChipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a chain of restaurants in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada specializing in burritos and tacos, founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and based in Denver, Colorado...
- Dish NetworkDish NetworkDish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
- Easter SealsEaster Seals (US)Easter Seals is a nonprofit charitable organization that assists more than one million children and adults with autism and other disabilities and special needs annually through a network of more than 550 service sites in the United States, Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico...
- Element Electronics
- Famous FootwearFamous FootwearFamous Footwear is a nationwide chain of retail stores in the United States dealing in branded footwear, generally at prices discounted from manufacturer's suggested prices. Established in 1960 as a single store, "Famous" is regarded as both a forerunner and champion of the trend towards the...
- FLW Outdoors
- FiservFiservFiserv, Inc. provides information management systems and services to the financial and insurance industries. Leading services include transaction processing, outsourcing, business process outsourcing , software and systems solutions. The company serves more than 16,000 clients worldwide...
- General MillsGeneral MillsGeneral Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
- Grand Casino
- Great ClipsGreat ClipsGreat Clips is a hair salon franchise in the United States and Canada with over 5,000 locations across the United States and Canada. It is headquartered in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota...
- Johnsonville FoodsJohnsonville FoodsJohnsonville Sausage is a Wisconsin-based sausage producer, founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer. Johnsonville Sausage produces various varieties of sausage including fresh bratwurst, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links...
- KmartKmartKmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
- Land O'LakesLand O'LakesLand O'Lakes is a member-owned agricultural cooperative based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, focusing on the dairy industry. The co-op states that it has about 3200 producer-members, 1000 member-cooperatives, and about 9000 employees who process and distribute products for about 300,000 agricultural...
- Minnesota Department of Public SafetyMinnesota Department of TransportationThe Minnesota Department of Transportation oversees transportation by land, water, and air in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The cabinet-level agency is responsible for maintaining the state's trunk highway system The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT, pronounced "min-dot") oversees...
- Minnesota Children's Museum
- NexxusNexxusNeXXus is an American salon hair care company dually founded in 1979 by American haircare entrepreneur Jheri Redding, founder of three other companies, and son Stephen. The company's name derived from the word "nexus" which means "bond" or "connecting"....
- Partnership For a Drug-Free AmericaPartnership for a Drug-Free AmericaThe Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a non-profit organization that helps parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children...
- Popeyes
- Renewal by Andersen CorporationRenewal by Andersen CorporationRenewal by Andersen Corporation is the replacement window and door subsidiary of Andersen Corporation, one of America’s largest private companies....
- Schwans Food Company
- SupervaluSupervalu (United States)SuperValu Inc. is a United States grocery retailer and distributor. The corporation, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has been in business for over a century. It is the third-largest food retailing company in the United States , and ranks #51 on the Fortune 100 list.On June 2, 2006,...
- SyngentaSyngentaSyngenta AG is a large global Swiss agribusiness company which notably markets seeds and pesticides. Syngenta is involved in biotechnology and genomic research. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in total sales in the commercial agricultural seeds market. Sales in 2010 were...
- The HartfordThe HartfordThe Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , usually known as The Hartford, is a Fortune 500 company and one of America’s largest investment and insurance companies...
- ToroToro (company)The Toro Company is an American manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment , snow removal equipment and water-saving irrigation systems for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential lawns, and agricultural fields...
- TresemmeTRESemméTRESemmé is a brand of haircare products first manufactured by Godefroy Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, Missouri starting in 1947. The brand name is a word play and reference to Edna L...
- United Way
- Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
- Wells FargoWells FargoWells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...