By Greg Hazley
Americana restaurant chain Johnny Rockets has brought in Allison & Partners as its global agency of record and Coyne PR for crisis communications after not using an AOR for several years.
Cozette Phifer Koerber, VP of communications for JR, said A&P San Diego chief Tim Wheatcroft cold-called her a year ago at a time when she needed some project work and the relationship has expanded from there.
"From an agency perspective, I think this demonstrates that the power of a cold-call is still very alive and well," she said, noting the company is in the midst of an "aggressive growth plan."
JR, based in Lake Forest, Calif., started out in 1986 on Los Angeles will mark its 25th anniversary in 2011. It was acquired by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder's RedZone Capital Fund in 2007. Snyder said in closing the deal that "there is no reason we shouldn't see 1,000 Johnny Rockets locations within the next five years."
Koerber said Coyne has been tapped for crisis management but all other "positive" PR globally will be guided by A&P, including regional marketing plans, promotions and publicity in the U.S. and abroad.
JR eateries play to nostalgia with counter-top jukeboxes and a 50s diner feel. It has more than 200 locations – including overseas locales like Kuwait, Egypt and the Philippines, as well as onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships and at Six Flags amusement parks.
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