990803 Churchs Chicken Selects New Ad AgenciesAugust 7, 1999Atlanta - Churchs Chicken, a division of Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises, announced that it selected Cliff Freeman and Partners to handle creative duties for its estimated $15 million advertising account. Carat North America was selected as the brand's media-buying agency. “The creative work of Cliff Freeman and Partners is truly exceptional and they demonstrated a good understanding of the brand and our customers,” said Brad Haley, Chief Marketing Officer for Churchs. “They also have arguably the most impressive track-record in the fast-food industry, from their Wendy's Where's the Beef? work to the Little Ceasars Pizza! Pizza! campaign.” The new Churchs campaign is scheduled to begin airing this fall. “After having done Where's the Beef? for Wendy's and Pizza! Pizza! for Little Ceasars, you wonder what's next,” said Cliff Freeman, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer for Cliff Freeman and Partners. “And then along comes the next chapter...a great bunch of Churchs people, a Southern-based brand that speaks to a Mississippi boy like me and a product that is consistently good. All in all, a delicious opportunity.” New York-based Cliff Freeman and Partners' client roster includes The Coca- Cola Company, Fox Sports, Staples, Hollywood Video, and Budget Car & Truck Rental. The other advertising agency finalists included New York-based Lowe & Partners, Atlanta-based Bayless Cronin in partnership with Merkley Newman Harty (New York), and Atlanta-based Austin Kelley Advertising. Austin Kelley had been Churchs' advertising agency for the previous 19 months. “It was a difficult decision to make because all of the finalists showed interesting creative work,” said Haley. “But after weighing all the factors, we're confident we've made the best choice for our company, our franchise partners and our customers.” New York-based Carat North America will manage the media planning and buying duties for Churchs' estimated $15 million advertising budget out of its Atlanta office. Carat North America is expected to buy more than $1.7 billion in media for its clients in 1999. “We decided to split-up the advertising assignment to give us the opportunity to get the absolute best creative as well as the best media-buying resources working on the brand,” added Haley. “We think we've found a great combination in Cliff Freeman and Partners and Carat North America.” “We are extremely excited that we have the opportunity to work with Churchs Chicken,” said David Verklin, Chief Executive Officer for Carat North America. “They are innovative marketers and exactly the kind of company that Carat loves to work for.” Carat North America beat out Western International Media for the media buying assignment. Churchs Chicken, the world's second largest quick-service chicken restaurant concept, specializes in Southern-style chicken and side items like mashed potatoes and gravy, okra, corn on the cob and its unique honey-butter biscuits. Founded in 1952 in San Antonio, Texas, Churchs today has more than 1,400 locations in 29 states and eight countries. Churchs Chicken's 1998 system-wide sales were $755 million. Visit Churchs Chicken on the World Wide Web at http://www.churchs.com . Churchs is a wholly owned subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, one of the world's largest operators and franchisers of restaurants, bakeries and cafes with over 3,300 locations in 28 countries. AFC had sales of $1.8 billion in 1998 and can found on the World Wide Web at http://www.afc-online.com .
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