Media Kitchen

01/19/2022

Exclusive: Stagwell Inc. Has Combined MMI and Media Kitchen

Big news to share! We're excited to announce that Media Kitchen and our Stagwell sister agency MMI Agency are coming together under the MMI nameplate, and the leadership of CEO Maggie Malek. This merger creates a dynamic new consultancy predicated on brand performance and innovation.

Stagwell Media Network Global CEO James Townsend said of our opportunity together: "Media Kitchen's ability to design and implement transformational media strategies perfectly complements MMI's nimble brand creativity and innovation services. Combined, they offer a future-facing answer for modern marketeers looking for joined-up insight, ideas, and connections that drive growth. This is about creating opportunities for our people to learn, collaborate and express themselves, and help offer clients more capabilities in one dynamic agency."

Read more about the strengthened agency, as well as what it means for our people, clients and the industry! https://adweek.it/3GPyHSs

The new entity is going to market under the MMI brand.

01/13/2022

Vevo Expands CTV Ambitions with Original Programming and App

MK Group Director, David Mirsky gives his take on Vevo’s new auto-play format and why it’s attractive to advertisers - Adweek

The revamped TV app allows users to watch a constant feed of videos programmed by Vevo, alongside the its original search function

01/03/2022

Is the four-day workweek inevitable? Maybe not for agencies

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares his skepticism of the four-day workweek and how the shift would require a major client and agency alliance - Morning Brew

Some agencies are making it work. But hourly billing models—not to mention client demands—present challenges.

01/03/2022

How publishers experimented with NFTs in 2021

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal discusses the feasibility of selling NFTs to marketers and the role media tie-in will play on brand collaboration - Digiday

NFTs debuted to the masses in 2021, and publishers scrambled to grab hold of the burgeoning revenue opportunities.

12/22/2021

We wish you a very happy holiday season!

12/21/2021

If companies want to get the best out of people, they should help them leave in 2 years, a CEO argues

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal encourages companies to rethink job longevity and turnover their workforces every two years - Business Insider

We knew if we gave college our all, we'd get a great return. The same should be true for corporations, writes Barry Lowenthal of Media Kitchen.

12/06/2021

4 sustainability strategies to preserve marketing’s emotional environment

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares four ways
emotional sustainability can be improved in the advertising industry -

The industry is uniquely qualified to support the emotional resilience of both consumers and employees.

12/03/2021

This Holiday Season, Social Marketers Adapt to Ad Inflation

MK Group Director, Dana Busick talks holiday media spend and where clients are allocating their budgets this holiday season - Adweek

Brands advertising around Black Friday and Cyber Monday had to spend more to reach the same customers in an inflationary environment.

11/29/2021

Media Buying Briefing: Despite lingering issues, cannabis marketing is growing as a new programmatic solution enters the fray - Digiday

MK Canada Managing Director, Sean McConnell offers guidance to navigating in the US for Digiday

One attempt to bring more rigor and order to a confusing marketplace is a partnership between a programmatic ad platform for the cannabis market, and a French firm that’s in both the SSP and DSP sides of the business.

11/23/2021

TikTok taps BuzzFeed to produce the first sponsored weekly live shows on the platform - Digiday

MK Group Director, Dana Busick gives her take on TikTok’s deal with BuzzFeed to create sponsored live shows on the platform - Digiday

BuzzFeed and TikTok will experiment with layering branded content into Live episodes on the platform, as well as how to establish predictable viewership for livestream videos.

11/22/2021

Nielsen will measure individual ads as it overhauls its ratings system

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal weighs in on Nielsen’s long-awaited decision to deliver individual commercial metrics - Ad Age

Extreme Reach technology will help measure linear TV spots to pave way for CTV and digital comparisons.

11/17/2021

How small Black- and Latinx-owned print publications created digital advertising businesses through the Google News Initiative

MK digital engineering director, Yuting Zhang talks how the strive for inclusivity has led brands to take their to Black- and Latinx-owned publishers - Digiday

Google ran 28 Black- and Latinx-owned publishers through a program that focused on developing their programmatic advertising businesses.

11/03/2021

The Many Benefits Of Cross-Training Your Media Agency Staff

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal breaks down the big benefits of cross-training your media agency staff in today’s media environment - MediaPost

Cross-training has really helped define our agency and has the potential to define any agency in today's media environment.

10/27/2021

Why the Old Way of Doing Things Doesn’t Work Anymore

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares his thoughts on successfully navigating changes in the ad industry - Adweek

Gone are the days of long hours and suits—it’s time to prioritize employee retention and quality work.

10/22/2021

Dear Lil Nas X

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal pens an appreciation letter to for Campaign US

An appreciation letter from a marketer.. From Campaign US

10/21/2021

In Changing Digital World, Consider Incentivized Advertising

MK Group Director, Dana Busick, talks navigating incentivized in a changing media landscape - MediaPost

As users are more informed than ever on privacy concerns, advertisers must provide consumers with assurance that their time and attention is valued.

10/13/2021

Why advertisers are finally buying into shoppable TV

MK Group Director, Dana Busick breaks down her experience with TV - Digiday

Looking at how shoppable TV is moving from shiny new toy to potentially becoming a staple of the TV and streaming business.

10/12/2021

Media agencies need to be 'systemic, not systematic' about LGBTQ+ representation

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal talks + targeting in and in the mainstream - Digiday

The LGBTQ+ community's purchasing power is growing, and Media agencies and clients are devoting effort to plan and execute campaigns that target.

09/22/2021

Confronting The Hypocrisy Of Advertising On Instagram And Facebook

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on advertising on social media and the power in our messages - MediaPost

Can we, in good conscience, continue to recommend platforms that directly and negatively impact the mental health of our youth? Platforms should be responsible for helping users feel better about themselves, but recent studies clearly show that is not the case.

09/21/2021

How do you solve a problem like… standing out in a virtual pitch?

Our Executive VP, Caterina Bartoli talks solutions to overcome the challenges of virtual pitching for The Drum

Each week, we ask agency experts for their advice on real problems facing today’s marketing practitioners. This week, readers weigh in with their advice for shining through during a virtual pitch.

09/13/2021

Reflections Of 9/11: How Madison Avenue Remembers It

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal reflects on the tragedy of 9/11 for MediaPost

Aborted client pitches, PTSD, and calls to action -- ad execs weigh in on the legacy of 9/11 and how it has transformed their world.

09/02/2021

Consumer insights panels make a quasi-comeback in the agency world

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on understanding consumer sentiment and the
importance of maintaining and refining panels - Digiday

If there’s one inviolate truth in media and advertising these days, it’s that a lot of consumer behavior has changed dramatically since the start of the global pandemic.

09/01/2021

Two agencies rethink return-to-office plans after employee pushback

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal talks about the pushback that led him to rethink the return to office decision for Digiday

The bottom line for some CEOs is, so long as the business continues to grow they’ll stick with the flexible course.

08/26/2021

Publishers tap blockchain technology for new revenue possibilities

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares his thoughts on branded and how they play a role in media buying - Digiday

Publishers are beginning to mine their blockchain experiments, like non-fungible tokens (NFTs), for ad sales opportunities.

08/20/2021

Why return-to-office plans should be up to employee teams

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on how a and approach to return is the way to go - Ad Age

Trusting teams' decision-making sets the tone for a collaborative, trusting and adaptable relationship for the long term: Opinion

08/17/2021

How do you solve a problem like... standing out to agency recruiters?

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal talks what makes stand out as an and what it takes to be a great chef - The Drum

Each week, we ask agency experts for their advice on real problems facing today’s marketing practitioners.

08/10/2021

Why Advertisers Just Can't Quit Linear TV

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal breaks down the appeal of linear tv for advertisers - MSN

David Zaslav said it best a few weeks ago: "Every [month] you deliver less tomatoes in the wheelbarrow, and every month you get paid more for your tomatoes." The Discovery president and CEO was talking about the fact that dwindling broadcast and cable TV ratings are not having a negative impact on a...

08/06/2021

How Bleacher Report is using sneaker and fashion content to bring new advertisers into the fold

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on Bleacher Report’s decision to expand their content by adding fashion and lifestyle coverage to the mix for Digiday

Since the start of the year, total revenue for the sneaker vertical has doubled over 2020 thanks to seven signed brand deals in 2021.

08/02/2021

Two brothers are betting on creating new brands and e-commerce to grow their media company

MK Group Director, Clair Bergam discusses how the success of boils down to numbers for Digiday

Former Bonnier Corp. CEO Eric Zinczenko is the new COO/president of his brother David Zinczenko's company Galvanized Media.

07/26/2021

Meet Stagwell | Transforming Marketing

Media Kitchen is excited to be a part of this new chapter with The Stagwell Group as we strike out together to transform marketing! Can’t wait to share what’s next.

07/21/2021

Advertising execs share their go-to places to impress clients as in-person meetings resume

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal chats about his go-to outdoor restaurants when meeting with clients for Business Insider

Many offices have not fully reopened, leaving agency execs to find other places to network and woo clients.

07/20/2021

Overtime is banking on third-party metrics to grow its roster of advertisers

MK Digital Engineering director, Yuting Zhang gives her take on using data to reach target audiences

Overtime, a digital sports brand was born on social media in 2016, and set its sights on growing online video to achieve scale.

07/19/2021

With travel back, leaders aim to reconnect with favorite places

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal talks about in the and how MK’s unlimited vacation policy drives workers to feed their curiosity

With domestic travel back in vogue this summer, industry leaders are eager to reconnect with their favorite destinations.

07/19/2021

NBC News’ 'Stay Tuned' has stayed the course on Snapchat

MK Associate Director, Clair Bergam discusses how recurring on NBC’s on draws interest - Digiday

Four years after NBC News debuted “Stay Tuned” on July 19, 2017, what stands out about the daily news show is how little has changed.

07/13/2021

Vice Media Eyes Next Chapter With Studio Content, World News, Even Games — And The Possibility Of Going Public

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal discusses what a deal means for Vice as they look to go public - Deadline Hollywood

BuzzFeed’s buzzy SPAC merger last month and pending IPO have turned up the spotlight on Vice Media Group, also known for reaching young audiences with provocative content. It’s retained that aura e…

07/12/2021

4 Ways to Leverage Brand and Response Advertising

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal breaks down ways to leverage the intersection of and response in his piece for Adweek

The lines have blurred, and there are no longer separate channels designated for awareness and conversions.

07/07/2021

Google’s cookie delay may offer breathing room but should be used with caution

MK Associate Director, Dana Busick breaks down how Google’s delayed cull has led to uncertainty in FLoC trials for Digiday

While the ad industry’s outpouring of relief following Google’s reprieve for cookies is understandable, it changes little.

07/07/2021

Google’s delayed cookie cull is an inevitable intermission to its fractious pursuit of privacy protections

MK Associate Director, Dana Busick discusses how Google’s delay may lead to increased testing budgets for Digiday

Covid delays and the sheer scale of replacing third-party cookies have slowed progress toward any replacements.

07/06/2021

Another virtual Cannes Lions shifts focus to creativity

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on virtual and looks forward to next year’s in-person event for Digiday

Attendees of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity are once again drinking anything from anywhere as they tune in virtually.

07/04/2021

We wish you a happy Fourth of July!

06/17/2021

New York drops Covid mandates: Adland celebrates, but cautions against resuming bad habits

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal chats about New York opening up post-pandemic and what it means for

In a historic announcement yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo dropped all Covid restrictions. This was in response to the state hitting a 70% vaccination benchmark. There were 10 statewide fireworks displays and lots of people glowing about the news in adland. Here are some of the initial rea...

06/09/2021

3 Post-COVID Strategies to Drive Agency Biz Dev

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal breaks down the top three strategies to drive agency biz dev - MediaPost

Think of business development in terms of how it impacts 3 core elements of a business: reputation, retention and discovery.

06/08/2021

With uptick in vaccinations, business travel resumes for marketers

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares his thoughts on doing business in person and the future impact travel costs will have on agencies for Digiday

If there were any doubts Americans are ready to travel for business again, they were obliterated over the Memorial Day weekend.

06/08/2021

We're Out Here aims to extend Pride Month ad budgets throughout the year

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal discusses how socially conscious brands are elevating activism to support important causes for Digiday

Increased travel, plus the return of Pride Month media spending has convened into an opportunity for We're Out Here.

06/07/2021

Crooked Media will use Team Whistle’s Snapchat to drive viewers to its YouTube show

MK Assoc Dir, Clair Bergam gives her take on cross-platform content promotion strategy through the lens of for Digiday

Crooked Media will have Team Whistle distribute Crooked’s YouTube show “ALL CAPS NBA” on Snapchat and Whistle’s other social platforms.

06/01/2021

Happy Pride Month from Media Kitchen!

05/31/2021

We wish you a good start to your summer!

05/28/2021

Marketers are seeking facetime with their agencies again, but some ad execs are resistant to going back to crazy pre-pandemic travel schedules

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal gives his take on the return to travel as agencies begin to reopen for Business Insider

Agency execs are resuming travel for certain pitches, meetings, and ad shoots but some said they aim to avoid the weekly flights that were common pre-pandemic.

05/28/2021

Why marketers expect 'a lot more exuberance in advertising this summer'

MK CEO, Barry Lowenthal shares his thoughts on the exuberance in marketing this summer for Digiday

The return of socialization is becoming a dominant theme in marketing messages and media placements for this summer.

05/27/2021

A Wakeup Call for Networks, Agencies and Brands: Consumers Are Fed Up with the Lack of Ad Frequency Controls | AdExchanger

MK Senior Strategist, Julia Smaldone discusses the lack of frequency controls - AdExchanger

As a marketing strategy, foregoing a frequency cap simply doesn’t make sense. Do the brands realize that they are serving at least one commercial per ad break to the same viewer, and sometimes the same ad more than once within a single ad break? Do they think that this is a fruitful marketing stra...