Pressroom

Colle+McVoy Advances Digital Expertise With Promotions In Leadership

Posted 02/17/2010

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 17, 2010 – Colle+McVoy’s interactive expertise advances to meet the ever-evolving digital needs of its clients with the announcement today of three promotions: Craig Pladson (previously interactive account director) to director of interactive strategy, Braden Stadlman (previously senior interactive producer) to lead interactive producer, and Barrett Haroldson (previously senior designer) to interactive associate creative director.

“These individuals have played defining roles in shaping Colle+McVoy’s digital expertise and they will continue to help sustain our growth and momentum,” said Christine Fruechte, president and CEO, Colle+McVoy. “A number of years ago when traditional agencies were building interactive departments, we infused interactive expertise throughout the agency. The resulting seamlessness has been key to our success, especially since interactive technology has become integral to how consumers behave and interact with brands.”

Since 2007, Colle+McVoy’s interactive billings have doubled, and they now account for more than 40 percent of the agency’s work. In the past year, the agency became digital agency of record for Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods and has been awarded new interactive assignments from Yahoo!, Discovery Communications, Aveda and Kiehl’s.

“A large part of our success is the result of a very collaborative and integrated approach to strategic planning and creative development,” says Mike Caguin, executive creative director, Colle+McVoy. “Consumer insights drive the creation of the user experience, and development is involved at the beginning of the process, not at the end of the production line.”

Recent recognition for the agency’s digital work includes a 2009 Webby Award for the pop culture phenomenon YearbookYourself.com, which generated increased mall visits for client Taubman Centers. More than 25 million people worldwide, including celebrities Lance Armstrong, Jimmy Fallon and Paul Reubens, have “yearbooked” themselves. The agency’s work has also been recognized by the Cannes Cyber Lions and One Show Interactive.

In recent months, Colle+McVoy has paved new ground with digital innovation, including 3-D technology; augmented reality; and the development of Squawq, a Twitter analytics Web tool designed to track, aggregate and artfully report information about brands, trends or topics. The agency recently received significant attention for its unique use of Squawq to track and measure brand impact and advertising effectiveness during the Super Bowl.