Dinklage, Ogilvy, FCB, Cisco, the Clios, DK in the news

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion has traded his world of dragons, thrones and white walkers to enter the world of technology in a new spot for Cisco from Ogilvy, Chicago.

Featuring Peter Dinklage from “Game of Thrones,” which just wrapped Season 7 on HBO, the three-minute spot ponders some provocative questions. It introduces the world to Cisco’s new “interest-based networking” solutions. The campaign is titled “The Network. Intuitive.”

The solutions will help clients speed up digital operations and protect against future cyber attacks.

“To help businesses understand what Cisco’s network makes possible, they need to hear about these innovations in a simple and relatable way. We worked with Ogilvy, our new agency, to develop the idea for the video,” Cisco’s chief marketing officer Karen Walker said in a blog post.

“Peter Dinklage is the perfect messenger because of his global fame and ability to speak in a bold, intelligent and captivating way. As he wanders through the streets of London, you hang on each of his words as he describes just how simple—and monumental—the new network is.”

Anthony Vitagliano Named President/CCO at Digital Kitchen

Digital Kitchen which touts itself as a “creative content and experience company” has named Anthony Vitagliano as President and Chief Creative Officer, a new position at the company.

Anthony VitaglianoHaving joined DK in 2003, Vitagliano has served as DK’s director of experience design for 14 years, where he is credited with designing stand-out experiences for brands and public spaces including such recent installations as the massive digital installation “Inward Journey” at LAX International Terminal, “The Monarch Experience” at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas and the brand launch of West Elm Hotels.

His work has earned numerous industry awards including a Design Grand Prix at the Cannes International Creativity Festival.

Don McNeill, Co-Founder and CEO of the 20-year-old company, noted in the announcement that “Anthony has driven DK’s powerful and dynamic creative ethos behind a belief in building brand experiences for our clients that engage consumers through a sense of belonging. His vision and craft have always elevated our work, unified our multiple offices and strengthened our culture. Most importantly his leadership has resulted in amazing and successful work product for our clients.”

Vitagliano added, “DK has evolved into a company that transforms businesses through creative experiences. We use creativity to grow stronger and more positive communities for the brands we partner with. Our best work, whether it’s an environment, product, marketing assignment or content experience, aligns with our guiding principle – design for a sense of belonging. We believe that the feeling of belonging is a fundamental human need.”

FCB Chicago acquires design firm, Chute Gerdeman

FCB believes that while brick-and-mortar continues to merge with online shopping, customers still visit physical locations as part of the purchase process and often still complete purchases in a physical store rather than online.

Chute GerdemanIn fact, they think so highly of this principle that they are getting into the retail environmental design business.

FCB Chicago announced that it is acquiring the Columbus, Ohio-based firm Chute Gerdeman.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Columbus firm now will work with the FCB/Red, the agency’s retail and shopper marketing division headed by President Tina Manikas, according to a report in Chicago Business Journal.

The Chute Gerdeman acquisition will allow the FCB/RED division to work with clients on full-store environmental design scale and build-out, the core competency of the 28-year-old Columbus firm. One of their many high-profile designs in Chicago is the Dylan’s Candy Bar outlet in the Tribune Tower.

Manikas is quoted in the Chicago Business Journal as saying, “We’re thrilled to have the Chute Gerdeman team come together with our retail shopper division. As a recognized industry leader, they bring a unique offering and distinguished track record of creating branded environments that, when paired with our capabilities, will allow us to deliver seamless experiences that keep the shopper at the heart of everything we do.”

Clios sold

According to Adweek The Clio Awards, the 58-year-old mainstay of the ad industry awards circuit, announced yesterday that it has been acquired by investment company Evolution Media. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Contact Colin Costello at colin@reelchicago.com.