A&C has become the public relations agency of record for Metro’s discount grocery banner Food Basics and has won several other accounts.
The communications agency will be creating interest and buzz around Food Basic’s promotional campaigns, says Bonnie Hillman, president of Toronto-based A&C.
Hillman says A&C has also been working with Metro for more than two years and that there’s a crossover with Metro and Food Basics in brand management.
The agency has also become AOR for Cabot Links, a golf course and real estate development in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
In addition, Nestlé Pure Life Sparkling Water and San Pellegrino have hired the agency to conduct annual strategic campaigns.
For Nestlé Pure Life Sparkling Water, A&C is leading a national campaign that aims to encourage product trial and drive habit change among women with families.
A&C is overseeing experiential marketing, contest components, strategic partnerships, influencers and ambassadors and a targeted blogger campaign in Quebec. The agency is working with Traffik on experiential marketing and OneMethod on social strategy for the campaign.
San Pellegrino has hired A&C to help the brand obtain media attention for its second global Young Chef competition, aimed at finding the best chef under 30 from around the world.
Hillman says the Nestlé Pure Life Sparkling Water and San Pellegrino accounts came as a result of several years of work A&C has done with Nestle on its Perrier account. “We don’t have an AOR agreement, but it’s like we function as an AOR.”
In addition, A&C has won an RFP from the Woodbine Entertainment Group for a project focused on the Queen’s Plate horse race in July.
The 15-employee agency has also made several promotions and new hires. Deborah Belcourt has been promoted from managing director to vice-president with added responsibilities in business development.
Daniel St. Germaine has been promoted from account manager to senior account manager and Sierra Percy-Beauregard from account coordinator to account manager.
Recent hires include Lisa Huie as account director, Signe Barlow as account manager and Adam Dermer, Nicole Gabourie and Jake Hillman as account coordinators.
