BB&T selects Rockett, Burkhead & Winslow as advertising and marketing agency of record

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BB&T Corporation today said it has selected Raleigh, N.C.-based Rockett, Burkhead & Winslow (RBW) as its advertising and marketing agency of record.

The largest independent advertising agency in the Southeast, RBW will provide advertising, strategic marketing and communications, branding, and media and interactive services.

RBW will assist BB&T in developing organic growth and renewed branding strategies among other advertising and marketing initiatives. BB&T selected the 20-year-old firm after a six-month review of agency candidates from across the Southeast.

"After a very thorough review process, we selected Rockett, Burkhead & Winslow because of their proven experience in organic growth disciplines and their deep understanding of BB&T and our culture," said BB&T Chief Marketing Officer Steve Wiggs. "RBW's experience in brand strategy and repositioning will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the role and mission of marketing at BB&T."

After nearly 60 bank acquisitions since 1989, BB&T has turned its focus toward growing from within in recent months. As part of that ongoing strategy, it expects to build and open 50 new branches this year.

"With the many changes in our industry and in our own organization, now is the perfect time to begin this new relationship with an experienced leader and innovator in the field of marketing and brand development," said BB&T Advertising & Public Relations Manager Ron Denny, who headed up BB&T's agency selection team.

RBW's client roster includes Duke University Health System, Sentara Healthcare, Lowe's Home Improvement, Motricity, Dollar Tree, Eaton Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Misys Healthcare Systems. The agency has about 65 employees.

"We are more than eager to begin what we know will be an outstanding partnership with one of the most well-respected and client-driven financial services companies in the Southeast," said RBW President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Herron. "This is a tremendous opportunity and challenge, especially when you consider the financial services industry has never been more competitive.

"We look forward to helping BB&T tell its story and making sure the public knows and believes in the BB&T brand."

BB&T officials began the agency review in January after deciding not to renew its contract with Raleigh-based Howard, Merrell & Partners, its agency of record since 1995.

BB&T has about 2.8 million retail clients and nearly 417,000 business clients.

Winston-Salem-based BB&T Corporation and its subsidiaries offer full- service commercial and retail banking and additional financial services such as insurance, investments, retail brokerage, corporate finance, treasury services, international banking, leasing and trust.

BB&T operates more than 1,400 financial centers in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Indiana and Washington, D.C.

With $102 billion in assets, BB&T Corporation is the nation's 10th largest financial holding company. More information is available at http://www.bbandt.com/.