Spool

Ever wonder what that tiny pocket in your jeans is for? Werther’s Original has the answer! Learn more about the tiny pocket and how to enter to win a pair of Werther’s Original Pocket Denim via the Women's World story below👖Today’s the last day of the contest, so be sure to check it out! A big shoutout to the Storck team, our partners at Dame Creative, and the many others involved in helping bring this to life. https://lnkd.in/gVXMfzVM

Congrats to our newest Spool AAE, Parker Rhodes! Parker first joined us as an intern over the summer and immediately impressed us with her creativity, media relations skills, and curiosity to learn the ins and outs of the industry (not to mention, she quickly became the office go-to for the hottest restaurants recommendations and city happenings). We knew we had to keep her! As Parker steps into her new role, she'll continue making an impact across our CPG clients using her knack for uncovering compelling storylines to secure top notch media coverage.  Cheers to you, Parker - we cannot wait to see you grow here at Spool!

“What’s cookin’, good lookin’?” The Spool team has been stirring up something fun with our Home Chef client, and the time has finally come for the big reveal! After months of careful behind-the-scenes planning, we’re THRILLED to share that Home Chef launched a special partnership this week with pop culture legend Dolly Parton and her sister, Rachel Parton George! This first-of-its-kind collab features meals inspired by the sisters’ most beloved family recipes from their brand new cookbook, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ — which is already a #1 bestseller on Amazon. We had too much fun working with Dolly, Rachel and an all-star lineup of reporters for this one. You can read all about it in Variety, TODAY, Rolling Stone, and more - AND you can order meals from the exclusive menu from now through Oct. 18 🍽 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gXS3B3YC

We're thrilled to announce a major milestone in Spool’s journey of growth and impact—Katie (Trotsky) Kierna and Jody Moore have been named our agency’s first Partners! Since day one, Katie and Jody have played pivotal roles in shaping Spool's success and future. Katie, as Partner and SVP, Group Director, and Jody, as Partner and SVP, People and Operations, have been the driving forces behind our bold strategies, relentless innovation, and people-first culture. Their leadership has not only inspired our team but also fueled Spool's exponential growth. At Spool, we pride ourselves on breaking barriers, and Katie and Jody embody that spirit. With their partnership, we're entering an exciting new chapter, scaling our business and continuing to make an impact where it matters most. To Katie and Jody—your entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and unwavering commitment to our values will continue to shape the future of Spool. LFG! #Leadership #Partnership #Growth #PR #CreativeAgency #Disruptors #SpoolVentures #Impact

Earlier this week, Spool had the opportunity to attend Newtopia Now in Denver - an event created to help emerging CPG brands maximize their exposure to retail buyers and investors. The only thing we brought back more of than product samples, were insights - here are a few of our favorites shaping the industry: 🔍 Conscious beauty and BFY brands are here to stay, and its consumers are getting smarter. In fact, consumers (76%, to be exact) now expect more transparency, and are savvier than ever when it comes to understanding ingredients and their functionality. 🌾 Brands have a significant influence and responsibility when it comes to regenerative agriculture. The future security of our food and water hinges on brands paying attention and taking action now. Kristie Cerutti from Ancient Nutrition put it best: if we don’t do this, we will have nothing - it’s not a marketing message! 🤳 The creator economy, when leveraged correctly, is the major driving force behind emerging brands. Brands should start with creators in their own backyard to lay the foundation of their story and educate their target consumer. And, creators aren't just in NY/LA - don’t count out the Midwest, especially if you have a family-oriented product. (Shout-out to Kelly Valentine from Hummingbirds for the helpful creator intel!) 🏃♀️ Life stages, more than generations, shift consumer behavior. What does this mean? Like Andrew Vrbas from our favorite Pacha Soap Co. said: you can’t just be a product-focused company or a marketing-fueled brand. You need to do both really well to succeed. Understanding your consumer, what they need, and why/when they need it is critical to that success. Spool has always had a heart for emerging CPG brands that are changing the world for the better, and we can’t wait to use these insights to help impact our brands. Now excuse us as we continue filling our carts with our long list of new favorite products... #CPG #FutureofFood

Spool is hiring a Group Creative Director in Chicago! This is an exciting opportunity for those who are endlessly curious, embrace a growth mindset, and have a knack for building strong, collaborative teams. If you're someone who loves wearing many hats and is eager to be part of an agency that truly puts its people first while aiming for big, ambitious goals, we’d love to hear from you. This role is perfect for team players who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make things happen. We can’t wait to meet the newest member of our Chicago-based team (with two days a week in the office)! For more info or to apply, visit ➡https://lnkd.in/gJue4YWz

As a woman-owned and women-led business, there's nothing we value more at Spool than the opportunity to build up and support strong female leaders. It’s especially a privilege when we get to celebrate our clients, who inspire us every day with their vision, strength, and determination. We are so happy for Suzanne Fanning who has been named as one of AdAge's 2024 Leading Women. Together, we’re creating a powerful community of women who uplift each other and make a lasting impact. 💪 ⭐

What do a hotdogger, a DJ, and a top-notch PR pro have in common? They’re all roles you can find on Tommy Derken’s diverse and impressive resume. And now, Tommy can add one more accolade to the list: he’s just been named a recipient of the Publicity Club of Chicago's Golden Trumpet 30 Under 30 award! Tommy has made a significant impact here at Spool, and we’re incredibly proud of him for this well-deserved recognition!

Yesterday, Spool's own Katie (Trotsky) Kierna joined several other industry leaders in sharing top tips and insights on how to make an impact for your F&B brands as part of PRSA Chicago's "Hungry for Headlines? Breaking Through Food Media" panel discussion. Like many of our Spoolers, Katie is a seasoned pro when it comes to understanding what it takes to cut through the clutter for her clients -- and she has the stories to prove it (many of which were shared in the room last night)! Thanks to the PRSA Chicago team for putting together such a fabulous evening of learning and networking (and pizza!).

We met some of our fellow 205 W. Wacker tenants this week, and let's just say it was a bee-yond cool experience. Our building rooftop is home to a colony of 18,000 honeybees all working to protect their queen. We learned about broods, drones, and bee birthdays -- plus we got to taste honey straight from the frame! Huge shout-out to Grace Hart at Alvéole for answering our *many* bee questions (and another shout-out to the Spoolers who weren't afraid to get up close and personal with our new building BeeFF's)!