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Young & Laramore wins back Stanley Steemer account

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Indianapolis’ largest ad agency on Friday achieved a rare coup in the advertising world, winning back one of its biggest former clients, which it parted ways with in 2005.

Officials for Young & Laramore on Friday announced they signed a deal to create various forms of advertising for Columbus, Ohio-based Stanley Steemer, the nation’s largest flooring and upholstery cleaning companies based on sales.

The deal is no small coup. According to industry insiders, Stanley Steemer spends between $50 million and $60 million in advertising annually.

The deal comes at a good time for Y&L, which like most ad agencies has been hit by the slowing economy in the last two years, a period that saw the firm lose one of its biggest clients, Steak n Shake restaurants.

Financial terms of the deal between Stanley Steemer and Y&L were not disclosed, but advertising experts said it could add a hefty six-figure amount to Y&L annual ledger. Y&L officials said they expect Stanley Steemer to be their largest client.

Y&L had the Stanley Steemer account from 2003-2005, until Stanley shifted its business to Dallas-based The Loomis Agency without a review. During its three-year run with Stanley Steemer, Y&L put together an award winning campaign, including nabbing an Effie, one of the industry’s highest honors.

“The news is unusual in that it is pretty darn rare when a major advertiser parts ways with an advertising agency and then asks them to come back,” Y&L CEO Paul Knapp told IBJ. “We stayed on good terms with them and stayed in touch. Last month they called us inviting us to come back in and compete for their business against a small handful of other agencies. We went over and won back the business.”

Knapp added that he hopes Y&L’s deal with Stanley Steemer will raise the profile and awareness of the creative talent that can be found in Indianapolis’ ad agency community.

Y&L President Tom Denari, who will be heading up the account, said the Indianapolis ad shop already is preparing for a Stanley Steemer television campaign, which is set to start airing in April. Stanley Steemer is known for its heavy reliance on cable TV ads, and ad experts expect the campaign to air heavily in Indianapolis and other markets this spring and summer.

While Y&L will handle all creative and production duties, Chicago-based Publicis Groupe’s Starcom will manage media buying.

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  1. If a television station wants to improve viewership, get rid of the local blackout. I was born by the brickyard, and have attended 15 or more races. I have children now, I won't attend unless circumstances are perfect. As those with growing families know, they never are. I'm always impressed that upwards of 250,000 people attend the 500. However, as a growing, or, more apt, sprawling city, Indianapolis and its immediate suburbs count almost 2.2 million. Show the race live, let the venue get a kick-back on revenues, and open-wheel racing might have a fighting chance to be relevant again. Just in time for those tax-payer lights to make sense.

  2. John Moore, I too have had the same issue recently. A property next to my house was on the Land Bank and I was interested in purchasing. When I tried to contact Reggie, I got back emails that had nothing to do with what I asked about. Actually my latest response from him was on this past Friday. I had asked about how to buy the property and if it was still available. His response to me was to contact the mayor's office to get the schedule of his appearances. (???) Hopefully the city is able to do something to fix what this guy has done, it would be nice if they would take the properties back and sell them properly so land owners like me and you mother would have a fair chance.

  3. I too work in the industry, with over 25 years of experience and your political spin has probably nothing to do with any rebranding. "Let's dress it up" would have nothing to do with the government "telling us how and what to eat." Give it a political rest. And being a producer for a radio show doesn't mean you've been involved in advertising and branding for 30 years.

  4. Ms. Morris did not understand the ways of the business world, otherwise, like the IMS, she could have petitioned the State Legislature for a handout of State Funds for her charity work. Ms. Morris should consider becoming a state lobbyist for Lemonade Stand Operators.

  5. David Copperfield!

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