Ted Francisco

We are thrilled to announce Carve Communications is officially the PR agency for ACV Auctions, the premier digital automotive marketplace and data services partner for dealers! We are incredibly fortunate to partner closely with their in-house PR team, collaborating to develop compelling narratives that connect their story to both dealers and consumers in meaningful ways. The momentum we've generated together is already significant, securing feature coverage & expert commentary across national, regional, trade, and broadcast outlets; and we're just getting started with a couple of executive interviews that took place last week. We look forward to continuing to elevate ACV Auctions' story and industry impact. (Check out broadcast coverage in the comments below.) P.S. What also makes this partnership unique is we first started talking to Maura over 3 years ago. Sometimes, and only sometimes, patience mixed with the right amount of persistence pays off in PR. Carve Communications, Inc.

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New podcast episode featuring Brian Ames, and Bob Rapp of General Motors.️‍🔥   This week on The Agentic Insider podcast, Phillip and Alistair sit with two leaders of AI at General Motors - Brian Ames, Senior Manager of Transformation and Enablement: Production AI and Data Products, and Bob R., AI Data Scientist, to discuss:   ✅How agentic tech is streamlining workflows ✅Why AI “hallucinations” might actually fuel creativity ✅Using AI for meeting prep and task coordination ✅The value of learning from industry trailblazers   🔗 Catch the full episode now with the links in the comments! How fitting that Bob would be joining us from his GMC Sierra Denali!   #AI #ResponsibleAI #TheAgenticInsider

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We partnered with Urban Science on a recent EV launch, featuring creative that included a public charging station map to help shoppers discover compatible charging stations near them. CTV influenced 86% of sales while remaining the biggest and most influential screen in the household. The inherent measurability of CTV is such a massive benefit to the platform, especially when you can prove ROAS on actual vehicle sales!

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Clipp’s audience spends 58% more on recreational lesson fees, from swimming to surfing to beach activities. These are higher-income consumers who invest more in experiences, making them a prime target for your offers. Learn how to reach them: https://ow.ly/4rVJ50WCKaW #Valpak #LocalMarketing #CustomerAcquisition #Clipp

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#WednesdayWisdom 65% of CMOs say AI will transform marketing… but nearly half think they only need minor skill updates. By 2027, lack of AI literacy may be one of the top three reasons enterprise CMOs get replaced. AI isn’t just a content tool. It’s strategy, governance, measurement, and real business impact. #CMO #ArtificialIntelligence

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🧠Independent Agencies often provide Big Thinking without the Big ZIP Code There’s a persistent myth in our industry: that the best creative and media talent only lives in New York, LA, or Chicago. But right now, some of the most ambitious, strategic, and award-winning work in the country is coming from independent agencies in DMAs ranked 25 through 50—the cities often overlooked, under-briefed, and underappreciated. Let’s clear that up. 📍 DMA #27 – Nashville GS&F (revived as a fully independent shop) is driving standout creative for LP Building Solutions and KFC Southeast co-ops, pairing local insight with national polish. Their recent work on the “Build Bold” platform just earned a 2024 ANA B2 Award. 📍 DMA #33 – Raleigh-Durham Baldwin& helped launch Kioti Tractor’s “Together We Rise” campaign with sweeping, cinematic storytelling—picked up in The Drum for its authenticity and edge. A brand that easily could’ve gone with a New York AOR chose Raleigh talent instead. 📍 DMA #37 – Columbus, OH Ron Foth Advertising brought home a National Addy for their work on Columbus Zoo, blending VR, TikTok creators, and traditional media to drive foot traffic in a post-COVID tourism slump. Ad Age spotlighted it as a smart regional turnaround story. 📍 DMA #43 – Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Brandon Agency launched a hyper-targeted campaign for Fish Hippie, a Southeast lifestyle brand, combining high-impact Amazon DSP with storytelling content. Their media mix strategy was featured in a recent Digiday roundup on DTC regional growth. 🤔 So what do all these agencies have in common? They’re not in holding company cities. They don’t need a SoHo loft to win the pitch. And they’re absolutely crushing it. ⸻ If you’re an independent in a mid-sized market, here are three ways to win more national attention and new business: 🎯 Market size ≠ market value. Don’t compete with big shops on scale. Compete on focus, responsiveness, and authenticity. The best brands know a good idea can come from anywhere. 🎯 Build a national body of proof. Use targeted awards (like the Addys, Effies, and ANA B2), earned press, and platform-native case studies to showcase what makes you great. When the coasts are bloated, nimble wins. 🎯 Leverage regional wins into national momentum. Use your biggest regional client success to ladder up. Brands are watching—especially in tourism, higher ed, healthcare, and B2B verticals. ⸻ 🍾 Clients aren’t just hiring agencies in big cities anymore. They’re hiring agencies that understand their business, move faster, and make every dollar work harder. What market is on fire 🔥 that shouldn’t be missed??? Want to talk about it on our Rise of The Independent podcast? Tag your team below 👇 #solvedontsell NOTE: MiO Marketplace provides #independentagencies the tools & tech they need to succeed. Win and keep more business with MiO!

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Tune in as Susan Baier of Audience Audit joins host Drew McLellan to reveal powerful insights from Agency Core's latest research on agency leadership. Susan shares eye-opening data, discusses the key challenges agencies face, and highlights the strategies that set top-performing agencies apart—making this episode a must-listen for any agency leader looking to improve and grow. Click the link to listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/gvh8xHx3

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I just saw that Ogilvy just cut its DEI staff. I think that is the wrong thing to do and it will hurt their clients in the long run. My article below outlines why a diverse roster pays off for clients and agencies.

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