Thorntons Selects Agency of Record

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Thorntons Inc., operator of more than 160 convenience stores throughout the Midwest, selected the award-winning firm of Austin, Texas-based SandersWingo as its agency of record. The relationship will begin July 1.

The agency will handle regional branding and multi-discipline campaigns for the c-store retailer, including cross-promotion of its internal brands such as coffee, fountain drinks and fresh foods.

"A name like Thornton's carries such a great amount of brand trust and loyalty, and we're honored to be beginning this relationship," Leslie Wingo, senior vice president and group account director at SandersWingo, said in an announcement made today.

Wingo noted the importance of that brand loyalty as the retailer continues to expand efforts into different forms of media, such as digital and social.

"SandersWingo competed enthusiastically to win our business," said John Zikias, executive vice president of Thorntons Inc. "We appreciate the team's strategic thinking and creative approach to the assignment, especially as we look toward expansion of digital efforts."

SandersWingo is an independent advertising agency that has represented some of the most recognizable regional and national brands, including Peter Piper Pizza, Petro, Fuddruckers, U.S. Postal Service, State Farm, General Motors and AT&T. The agency has offices in Austin and El Paso, Texas, with satellite locations New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

With more than $1.4 billion in revenue, Thorntons is one of the largest privately held corporations in Kentucky. The company operates 165 gasoline and convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in five states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.