Hive Naturals and Field Agent unveil hybrid merchandising agency
Retail merchandising agency Hive Naturals and CPG insights firm Field Agent Canada are launching a “hybrid merchandising agency.”
According to the release, hybrid merchandising combines the coverage, speed and affordability of crowd-sourced retail audits by Field Agent with merchandisers from Hive Naturals.
CPGs are consistently looking for ways to ensure brands are executed properly at retail stores across Canada but are challenged by the high costs and speed-of-execution of traditional merchandising companies, according to Hive Naturals and Field Agent.
Hive Naturals founder Amanda Kenny says partnering with Field Agent allows it to get brands the exposure that they need at a lower cost by utilizing crowdsourcing and mobile technology.
Hive Naturals offers planogram compliance, out-of-stock management, recorder support and additional facings, according to the agency. Field Agent boasts a 300,000 strong userbase of Canadians using its smartphone app to complete thousands of instore tasks nationwide. Its shoppers equip brands and retailers with retail information, shopper insights and digital product demos, the firm says.
“We are quick and agile and able to get information about what is happening at retail in a matter of hours compared to several weeks for traditional merchandising support agencies,” says Jeff Doucette, general manager of Field Agent Canada.
Agnostic unveils XM offering
Agnostic is launching Agnostic Exchange, an offering it says is a “new approach to experiential marketing.”
According to the agency, Agnostic Exchange pairs the power of PR with the immersive impact of experiential marketing.
Agnostic president Sarah Crabbe says Agnostic Exchange complements the agency’s existing PR expertise and opens up new creative possibilities for clients to serve consumers who are craving real-world and authentic connections.
According to Liza Baoukian, head of experience at Agnostic, the team’s PR background gives it a unique advantage in “thinking about experiences as complete journeys rather than isolated events…Every activation is designed to engage in the moment, spark conversations, earn coverage and create lasting impact.”
