R\West

R\West is an American advertising agency based in Portland, Oregon that provides marketing, public relations, and related services. They are best known for the Trunk Monkey commercials, which they created in collaboration with Limbo Films for Suburban Auto Group.[1]

R\West
IndustryAdvertising
PredecessorBig Ads
Founded1997 (1997)
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon
,
United States
Key people
    • Sarah Simmons, President
    • Elizabeth Morrow-Mackenzie, Executive Creative Director
    • Sean Blixseth, CEO
Websitewww.rwest.com

History

The company was founded in 1997 as Big Ads, and later changed its name to R\West. According to President Sean Blixseth (not to be confused with lawyer Sean Reed Blixseth), the 'R' in R\West stands for the messenger Revere, symbolizing the company's role as a messenger for its clients.[2]

The agency gained national attention as dealerships across the U.S. licensed the ads. They also received some negative publicity from animal rights activists over their use of a trained chimpanzee.[3]

R\West is also notable for designing an award-winning kids' meal program for the fast food chain Burgerville. The program received the Grand Award in the 2004 Best Kids' Menu in America Competition. Through comic books, games and toys, young diners learn about locally grown food and natural resources in the Pacific Northwest.[4]

Clients (list is not expansive)

Awards
  • 2007: two Emmys from The Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the commercial category for the best single-spot award for "Bridge" and best campaign award for "Abduction/Rescue", part of the Trunk Monkey campaign.[6]

References
  1. Limbo Films and R\West Team Up for 2nd Nationally-Syndicated Car Dealership Ad Campaign. 26 Mar 2008.
  2. "Big Ads changes name, adds staff". Portland Business Journal. February 28, 2003. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  3. Jung, Helen. "Trunk Monkey antics win over fans far, wide", The Seattle Times. 03 Feb 2007.
  4. "Burgerville's New Kids Meal Program Named Best in America", Allbusiness.com 16 Mar 2004.
  5. Shelly Strom (October 1, 2004). "Chimp is a champ for Portland ad agency". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  6. "Awards: Entrepreneur recognized". Portland Business Journal. June 15, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
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