GREGORIO BENNETT:
formed O! Integrated Marketing Agency with partner Aldo Cundari. The shop pitches integrated marketing ideas, dubbed “transitory opportunity” marketing. Los Angeles-based O! opened in April.
Bennett was founder and creative director of Hispanic shop Luna Bacardi Group, bought by Aspen Marketing in 1999. Cundari remains president of the Toronto promo shop he founded, The Cundari Group. Packaged goods veteran Kelly Marx serves as O! chief operating officer.
WINGATE INNS INTERNATIONAL: will give a $15 MasterCard gift card to hotel guests who stay two nights and pay with MasterCard. The offer runs through Dec. 18. Wingate, owned by Parsippany, NJ-based Cendant Corp., handles in-house.
IEG SPONSORSHIP SERVICES: Chicago, named Jeff Sodikoff senior VP-marketing strategy to oversee strategy for IEG’s consulting division and new-business development. Sodikoff handled Columbia Records promotions and marketing at Sony Music Entertainment, New York City.
FRANKEL: Chicago, promoted Michael Strip to VP-group creative director overseeing Coca-Cola and Jose Cuervo Tequila accounts. He had been creative director.
MCDONALD’S: has teamed up with Walt Disney Pictures to promote The Haunted Mansion via Happy Meals. The newest Happy Meal launches Nov. 26 at participating restaurants, and will feature six different toys from the movie, ranging from a singing ghost to a haunted mirror. The promotion will run through Dec. 18. Television and print advertising support.
CONNECTICUT LOTTERY: begins a marketing campaign Nov. 24 positioning games as holiday gifts. The campaign includes point-of-sale materials, a 30-second television spot entitled Gift Wrap and two radio spots. Advertising will run through Dec. 28. Cronin and Company, Inc., Glastonbury, CT, handles.
THE LOWELL FIVE: named Single Source as advertising and marketing agency for the company last week. The Lowell, MA-based bank selected Single Source after a review of several agencies from the Boston area. The agency’s responsibilities include strategic planning, brand development, creative, media planning and placement, direct marketing and in-branch promotional programs.
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