Zimmerman Provides Marketing Power to Jackson Hewitt

October 13, 2008 | 6:00 am

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmerman Advertising, the nation's 14th largest advertising firm and recognized national retail brand builder, was recently named agency of record for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), a leader in the tax preparation industry.

A review process, lead by ABA Consulting, asked holding companies to propose solution teams; at Omnicom, the pitch was handled through its Diversified Agency Services (DAS) unit. As a result, Zimmerman and its Omnicom teammates were pitted against other best-of-breed teams from WPP and Interpublic Group. Together with Ketchum Public Relations and Targetbase, Zimmerman created a powerhouse team that won the day for Omnicom. On a separate note, the final round was an agency "finals rematch" of sorts that put Zimmerman against IPG's Lowe for the second time this year.

"We are very impressed with the creativity and strategic thinking that the Omnicom agency groups have demonstrated," said Douglas K. Foster, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "With Zimmerman, Ketchum and our internal team's knowledge and experience, we look forward to creating greater meaning and impact on consumers through breakthrough advertising, marketing and public relations efforts."

"There is just an undeniable fit between our teams," notes Michael Goldberg, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Zimmerman. "There is very clear understanding, from everyone, that marketing success is about developing a powerful and clear brand campaign that effectively drives consumer traffic and retention."

"Our teams connect ... in style and belief in the vision of the greater market opportunity that exists for Jackson Hewitt," says Jordan Zimmerman, Founder of the agency. "We will help expand that opportunity while creating excitement."

A communications innovator, New York-based Ketchum ranks among the largest global public relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries.

Dallas-based Targetbase is a direct marketing agency driven by business intelligence, and specializes in providing actionable insights that turn customer data into profits. Both firms are also units of Omnicom Group Inc.

About Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with approximately 6,800 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States during the 2008 tax season, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. Jackson Hewitt is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040

About Zimmerman Advertising

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group(TM) company, is the country's leading national retail brand builder, and the 14th largest advertising agency in the United States, with more than 1,100 full-time associates and offices throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Atlanta.

Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.