News

SONIC selects new PR agency

March 28, 2013

Sonic Corp. today announced the selection of Cohn & Wolfe as its new public relations agency of record.

Cohn & Wolfe will work with the SONIC PR team to drive external communications to consumers and franchisees, local store marketing, cause marketing and issues management. The agency will also support social media strategy as part of a cross-functional, multi-agency team.

The primary Cohn & Wolfe team is based in Austin, Texas, a core SONIC market. With this partnership, SONIC has access to the agency's resources and expertise.

"Cohn & Wolfe brings highly relevant QSR and retail experience, fresh thinking, quick-turn agility, and the resources of a large agency — the perfect combination to help propel SONIC's momentum," said Patrick Lenow, vice president of public relations at Sonic Corp. "We have a great story to tell at SONIC, and we're confident that Cohn & Wolfe is the right partner to help us tell it."

Cohn & Wolfe is part of WPP communications services group. In 2012, Advertising Age recognized Cohn & Wolfe as one of the "Best Places to Work in Marketing & Media" for the second consecutive year. In 2013, PRWeek awarded Cohn & Wolfe its top honor, "Agency of the Year," noting the agency's "exceptional creativity."

"SONIC offers a menu and experience so unique that it is truly unlike any other brand in the category. Our core team in Austin, having grown up with SONIC, is excited to help bring this story to more consumers around the country," said Brooke Hovey, executive vice president at Cohn & Wolfe.

The appointment is effective immediately. Cohn & Wolfe will join an agency roster that includes Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, creative agency of record; Zenith Optimedia, media agency of record; and Sullivan Higdon & Sink, below-the-line agency of record. Joanne Davis Consulting assisted in the review.

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