The 102 year-old advertising agency is moving downtown to the J.L. Hudson warehouse. Across from Ford Field, C-E is expected to bring hundreds of jobs. The company represented the U.S. Navy, General Motors, Motor City Casino, and added the University of Michigan and Consumer Energy to its portfolio in 2011. The agency is about to seal the deal with its next big account: Cadillac. Whether it's for a "review" or a complete takeover is still pending.
Goals and programs focus on revitalizing Michigan’s core. CEO and Chairman Bill Ludwig expressed that he does not have reservations about the move. “Every year there’s another crisis… [Campbell Ewald is] a tough, hard-working, and very resilient agency. We belong in Detroit”. Parting is such sweet sorrow for Warren Mayor Jim Fouts. He’s “disappointed to be losing the company’s presence”. C-E was one of the top five biggest tax payers. It has been in Warren for 35 years.
Ludwig said the move was driven by the explosion of technology and social media, along with Campbell Ewald’s need to diversify its client base. But the firm's work load isn't the only thing set to expand. According to Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3), students are graduating from advertising related programs at a competitive rate. Comparisons were made to New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Leaving its 10-story headquarters on Van Dyke, C-E signed an 11-year lease with the Detroit Lions for the unfinished office space, and is expected to move during the end of the year.
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