Colle+McVoy Wins Minnesota State Lottery Account

Business Wire, August 24, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota State Lottery named Colle+McVoy agency of record today for its $7 million account. The agency, the unanimous choice of a seven-member selection committee, will handle advertising and public relations for the Lottery.

"We're pleased that we beat the odds," says John Jarvis, Colle+McVoy's president and chief creative director. "We're looking forward to working together. The Lottery asked for out-of-the-box thinking in the pitch. We threw some pretty wild stuff at them, and they didn't even flinch."

"Colle+McVoy best showed the ability to integrate its agency resources to meet the Lottery's marketing needs," says Michael Vekich, acting director of the Minnesota State Lottery. "They exhibited a clear understanding of where we need to go to grow our business."

There were four agencies in the final review for the account, including Barkley Evergreen & Partners, Kansas City, Mo.; BBDO, Minneapolis; The Foley Group, Minneapolis and Colle+McVoy.

The Minnesota State Lottery is based in Roseville, Minn. Proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery go to the state, with the state General Fund receiving 60 percent of proceeds and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund receiving 40 percent of proceeds. In addition, the first 6.5 percent of Lottery sales (in lieu of sales tax) is used for various natural resources programs and the General Fund.

Colle+McVoy offers insightful thinking and inspired ideas in advertising, public relations, direct marketing and interactive services to its clients, including Nestle Purina, Bayer, Novartis, CHS, Red Wing Shoes, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Winnebago Industries, CNH, 3M, Honda, Ecowater, Medtronic and the North American Olive Oil Association. The integrated agency is a member of the MDC Partners network.