McCormick Company Seeking New Opportunities

Chuck Zimmerman

I just spoke with Mark Perrin, President, McCormick Company, who says the agency is looking for a new opportunity. Post Update: The Pioneer account will be transitioning to the Ogilvy & Mather operating unit in Minneapolis, The Lacek Group LLC.

Here’s why:

McCormick Company announces that it will no longer be the agency of record for Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. Instead, the agency will focus on new opportunities in the agriculture industry as well as other core practice areas.

The move results from a DuPont corporate decision to shift the account to its agency of record. McCormick will continue to support Pioneer as needed to allow for a smooth transition.

“McCormick is proud of its 43-year history with Pioneer,” said Mark Perrin, president of McCormick Company. “During that time, we’ve worked together to help deliver solid marketing campaigns that ultimately resulted in increased market share and growth for Pioneer. We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked so well together for so many years.”

McCormick will continue to focus on its existing portfolio of clients, as well as new opportunities this change presents. New business always has been a hallmark of the agency, with McCormick posting 10 percent growth in 2011.

The agency is poised for a positive 2012 as well, successfully adding new clients on pace with company projections. McCormick also recently opened offices in Indianapolis and Paris.

“We look forward to the opportunity to continue to expand our agency and share our unique expertise and skill sets with current clients as well as new prospects both now and in the future,” Perrin said.

McCormick Company, founded in 1926, is a sales communications firm whose 130 professionals work in its offices located in Kansas City, Amarillo, Des Moines and Indianapolis.

Post Update: Here’s where the Pioneer account is transitioning to.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has announced it will move its U.S. marketing communications agency support to Ogilvy & Mather to better integrate its strategic communications effort within the worldwide DuPont business. The business will be managed by Ogilvy’s operating unit in Minneapolis, The Lacek Group LLC.

Agency responsibility will transition throughout 2012 from McCormick Company, Kansas City, to The Lacek Group.

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