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    Y&R’s Collaborative Incubator Program Expands With 9 Participating Startups

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments7539 Views
    Akia Mitchell, Y&R's global director of innovation
    NEW YORK --

    Y&R’s SparkPlug program, a collaborative incubator that connects global companies committed to creating rich brand experiences and powerful storytelling, has assembled a class of nine growth-stage startups at Y&R’s New York headquarters. This year’s program has just gotten underway and will continue for six months.

    SparkPlug is a living lab where ideas and technologies are shared to spur new and impactful ways for Y&R clients to reach consumers. Launched in 2011, SparkPlug is open to companies worldwide and has helped develop successful companies such as Eko (formerly Interlude) and Hyperactive.

    Up from five participating companies in the last round, the startups taking part in the 2018 New York program are:

    • Headliner Labs – A messaging and chatbot platform for the world’s top media, luxury and retails companies.
    • LoweKey – A mobile startup studio that integrates advertising opportunities and in-app purchasing to native user experiences.
    • NationLab – A data visualization installation inspired by Y&R’s BAV and U.S. News’ Best Countries report.
    • OmniVirt – A virtual reality, augmented reality and 360-degree video advertising platform for brands and publishers. Formats run across all platforms and across screens (desktop, mobile, tablet and VR headsets).
    • Plus 1 – A social media content house that drives engagement with innovative content, influencer marketing and event programming.
    • Skitish Media – A digital agency transforming stand-up comedians into a creative army to produce engaging, viral campaigns to generate tangible conversions.
    • Steereo – A music distribution network that utilizes rideshare vehicles to help emerging artists gain new listeners and fans.
    • StormX – A gamified micro-task platform that rewards engagement with STORM tokens, a new cryptocurrency.
    • Wolox – An innovation studio with Internet of Things, mobile, UX/UI and AI capabilities.

    Companies reside in Y&R’s New York office for six months as they further develop their products and services. Y&R offers companies access to branding, design, strategic marketing capabilities and more, while they simultaneously explore business opportunities with agency account teams. Companies will also participate in demo days with Y&R executives and industry leaders.

    “SparkPlug is rooted in the exchange of knowledge, technologies and consumer understanding between Y&R and today’s cutting edge companies. We are excited to welcome a new group of companies to be part of the largest and most diverse group we’ve had yet in the SparkPlug program. With the exciting solutions each of these startups bring to the table, we expect this year’s dynamic eco-system to deliver creative, relevant and innovative collaborations within Y&R and with our clients,” said Akia Mitchell, global director of innovation.   

    Key participants in SparkPlug 2017 included Raiserve, Instapanel, TINT, Uru and Vyrill, focused on new business pitches and BAV research, and were involved in the launch of Y&R Inspire Change. Now departing from the program; TINT plans to expand operations into Europe and Asia, Vyrill was named best startup of 2017 at NYAd Tech and Uru cofounder Brunno Attorre was recently named among Forbes 30 Under 30.

    In addition to the New York program, SparkPlug is also currently running at Y&R Singapore.




    Ben Edwards and Guy Hobbs Set To Return To FCB London As Exec Creative Directors

    Thursday, November 28, 2024

    Multi-award-winning senior creatives Ben Edwards and Guy Hobbs are rejoining FCB London as executive creative directors. They will assume their appointments in February 2025. The duo will report into chief creative officer Owen Lee, and partner closely with ECD Kyle Harman-Turner. Edwards and Hobbs will work across the entire portfolio of the agency’s client roster including Skoda, Andrex, Intuit Quickbooks, and new client, global confectionery brand Perfetti Van Melle for which FCB London has just been awarded lead agency for creative and strategic responsibilities for a portfolio of its gum brands. The appointment of Edwards and Hobbs follows a remarkable year for FCB London which has secured a raft of new business wins not only for Perfetti Van Melle but also Kellanova’s advantage brands including Pringles--as well as launching a number of celebrated campaigns including “Get Comfortable” for Kimberly-Clark’s Andrex. The creative duo join from Wonderhood Studios where they have been ECDs for nearly three years working with Three, Coral, and premium car brand Ineos Grenadier, among others. Prior to this they had a three-year stint at BBH firstly as sr. creatives, then associate creative directors, working across brands such as Tesco, Samsung, and Barclays. Edwards and Hobbs first teamed up eight years ago while at FCB London. During their time, they produced an array of award-winning work, including the acclaimed “This Girl Can” campaign for Sport England and “Pay it Forward” for The Big Issue, which won a host of awards including a Grand Prix at Eurobest; Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards at Cannes Lions; and a Gold Pencil at The One Show. FCB London CCO Lee said, “Everybody loves a boomerang. We’ve been wanting to tempt Ben... Read More

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