The VIA Agency Wins Best Small Agency of the Year

PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The VIA Agency has been selected by AdvertisingAge and Creativity as 2011 Small Agency of the Year.  VIA was chosen based on its ability to attract new business, grow by more than 20 percent and develop effective solutions for daunting marketing challenges. The award was announced July 28 in Denver at a ceremony honoring the best agencies with fewer than 150 employees. In 2010, VIA was Runner Up in the Small Agency of the Year category.

"Even though we're considered a 'small agency' by size, we never perceive ourselves that way because we're competitive with large agencies," said the VIA Agency founder and CEO John Coleman. Our location allows us to be more closely aligned with the everyday consumer so we're better equipped to understand a brand's target audience. We're known as great listeners, passionate marketers, nimble and able to develop and execute ideas quickly. Simply put, we love what we do."

In 2011, the 80+ person VIA Agency added 22 new brands to its roster and attracted senior talent from mcgarrybowen, McCann, BBDO and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. VIA expanded its digital practice, became agency of record for Unilever's Klondike, launched Samsung's Galaxy Tab and won Prestige Brands' entire portfolio including PediaCare, Clear Eyes, Comet and Spic and Span. The VIA Agency also moved its headquarters to the historic Baxter Library that was renovated to reflect VIA's creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.

"This award is well-deserved," said Ralph Santana, chief marketing officer of Samsung North America. "The VIA Agency is a trusted partner that consistently goes the extra mile to solve our marketing challenges with creative and innovative work in record time. We're thrilled to work with them, and offer our congratulations!"

Ad Age highlighted the VIA Agency's work for the Samsung Galaxy Tab launch, and its ability to develop an interactive campaign in under five weeks that resulted in more than 3 million tabs sold.

In addition to Samsung, the VIA Agency counts Unilever, Welch's, Prestige Brand Holdings, Inc., Friendly's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, People's United Bank, DuPont, Unum and North American Breweries as clients.

"We are thrilled, but not surprised that the VIA Agency won Ad Age's Small Agency of the Year, what a tremendous honor," said Andrea McKenna, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Friendly's. "As we re-imagine the future of our brand, the VIA Agency is the perfect partner."

Editorial staff from Ad Age and Creativity judged hundreds of agency of the year submissions from the U.S., Canada and 20 other countries.

"We've had an exceptional year," Coleman said. "We're humbled by this award and hope to outgrow our eligibility in this category by continuing to deliver inspiring work."

About The VIA Agency

The VIA Agency is an independent full-service marketing, advertising and digital agency that helps clients solve their most difficult marketing problems via creativity and innovation. Founded in 1993, the Portland, Maine-based VIA Agency offers a fresh perspective and distinguished record of creating the right ideas for clients and a legacy of reinvigorating brands. Named by AdvertisingAge and Creativity as 2011 Small Agency of the Year, the VIA Agency attracts national talent and blue-chip brands, and counts Unilever, Samsung, Welch's, Prestige Brand Holdings, Inc., Friendly's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, People's United Bank, DuPont, Unum and North American Breweries among its clients. To learn more about the VIA Agency and its thought leaders please visit our website and nerve center.

SOURCE The VIA Agency