Client’s Strategic Plan Drives Results, Positions Company For Continued Growth

Solve client True Value Company, one of the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperatives, announced 2014 year-end results earlier this month. Total fiscal 2014 gross billings increased 6% to $2.015 billion, the best growth in 20 years. Destination True Value retail comp store sales were up 4.8 percent. Overall company revenue grew 5.9%.

“Our strategic plan is driving powerful, positive transformation across True Value as we experienced some of the strongest growth we’ve seen in the last 20 years,” said President and Chief Executive Officer John Hartmann. “These achievements are the result of our members’ support and the hard work of our associates as together we make the changes needed to drive new levels of engagement, growth and efficiency.”

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Riding a strong growth trajectory, Solve continues to proactively strengthen its team including latest hire Kurt Stafki as Social Media Manager. Stafki joins the agency from Haberman. Prior to that, he was Social Media Engagement Specialist for Nature Valley, a leading granola bar brand in the snacks division at General Mills. Stafki has also spent time working on brands including State Farm, Victory Motorcycles and Samsung at Weber Shandwick and Gabriel deGrood Bendt earlier in his career. “Kurt has strong experience in the ever-evolving arena of social media; we’re excited to add his brainpower to our growing team,” says Solve President, Corey Johnson.

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Agency Also Hired To Introduce Galbani, World’s #1 Italian Cheese Brand, To U.S.

After a competitive review, Solve has been hired by the North American division of the world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis Group, headquartered in Laval, France. Solve’s primary focus will be expanding the franchise for Président, France’s favorite brie, and introducing Galbani, the number one Italian cheese brand around the world to U.S. consumers.

The agency will be responsible for positioning, target audience definition, connection strategy and messaging across traditional, digital, social and in-store channels. Solve is partnering with MarketingLab in Minneapolis for grocery shopper activation. The Lactalis portfolio of specialty brands also includes rondelé, Don Bernardo and Black Diamond.

“With interest in food becoming an increasingly important part of the American culture, it’s a wonderful time to be working with authentic, specialty cheese brands like Président and Galbani,” said John Colasanti, Solve CEO.

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John Colasanti, CEO of Solve, has again been invited to judge the final round of the North American Effie Awards in New York City, serving this year as moderator. A former member of the Effie Worldwide Steering Committee, and 20-time recipient of the honor, Colasanti was asked to facilitate the judging process of this year’s finalist submissions. Winners will be announced at the 2015 Effie North America Awards Gala in New York on June 4.

The Effie Awards are known by advertisers and agencies worldwide as the pre-eminent award in the industry, and recognize any and all forms of marketing communication that contribute to a brand’s success. Since 1968, winning an Effie has become a global symbol of achievement.

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Agency’s Account Leaders Present Best Practices For Retailers To Build Their Local Brand

Solve traveled to Dallas recently to participate in True Value’s Spring Reunion conference, True Value’s bi-annual retailer convention. The agency led a session attended by over 100 storeowners and True Value senior management. With a clear list of actionable items for storeowners to implement, the team shared a range of opportunities for stores to build upon the national campaign using search, social and website enhancements.

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Latest Innovative Technology Enables Unprecedented Virtual Driving Experience

Solve was recently visited by Brooklyn, NY-based M ss n g P eces, a new wave production and entertainment company, for a demonstration of the latest in 3D live-action VR. Featured on the Creativity 50, M ss n g P eces is at the leading edge of the limitless potential of technology having recently completed creative projects with Google, Ted Talks, Pepsi and Dos Equis. Executive Producer, Founder Ari Kuschnir is shown pictured with Solve creative director Hans Hansen wearing a Samsung Gear VR headset.

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Detroit Icon Cited In Story Of Urban Renewal

Detroit is on the rise. The proud spirit of the Motor City is simply too strong to keep down. Following years of well-publicized decline in its downtown area, and last year’s bankruptcy filing, Detroit has launched an aggressive redevelopment plan. One area of revitalization is the city’s Historic Corktown District, home to the Mercury Bar.

Reporting on the city’s renewal, The Guardian profiles the Mercury Bar, a neighborhood icon that has survived the downturn and is an integral part of the resurgence. As Corktown attracts the city’s hipsters, new residents are sitting alongside long-time Motowners enjoying a beer and one of Mercury Bar’s award-winning burgers. “Detroit is the best city in the world. The Merc is proud to be a part of it,” said Kimberlia Kirk, Operations Manager at the Mercury Bar.

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