Havas Wins Consolidation of Media and Creative for Carl Buddig and is Tasked to Transform Business in North America

Through its Converged strategy and integrated Village model, Havas unites media, creative, and digital capabilities to deliver seamless consumer experiences for the family-owned operated company and its portfolio of brands.

Havas today announced its selection as the marketing agency of record to unlock transformative business growth for Carl Buddig & Company, the family-owned and operated manufacturer of quality meats and snack products such as Old Wisconsin and Kingsford. Through a fully integrated account, Havas will lead all media, creative, social, and digital efforts for Carl Buddig & Company including Buddig, Old Wisconsin including its new Yumbo brand, and more.

With the power of Converged, Havas remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering experiences through its integrated Village model, bringing creative storytelling, integrated campaigns, and strategic media planning to evolve Carl Buddig’s market presence. This partnership will integrate creative storytelling with data-driven consumer journey mapping, social, and personalization, supported by end-to-end media planning and buying across channels. It will also incorporate shopper marketing strategies and retail media optimization, ensuring Carl Buddig connects with today’s consumers at every touchpoint.

As a family-owned company, our values and commitment to producing quality products have driven our continual growth. However, we recognize we’re at a turning point for the brand and how we all consume media is constantly evolving, which is why it’s imperative to meet consumers with the right message, in the right medium, at the right time. Partnering with an agency that shares our values, like Havas, while having media and creative under one roof, gives us a transformative combination of creative excellence, scale, agility, and innovation that strengthens our brand and deepens our connection with consumers.

Matt Barlow

VP of Brand and Commerce Marketing for Buddig and Company

By combining the power of our media, technology, and creative expertise through our Converged strategy, we are able to deliver meaningful solutions tailored to Carl Buddig’s business goals. As a cherished national brand that has proudly remained family-owned for four generations, Carl Buddig is a perfect partner for Havas, with our proven history of transforming legacy brands into market leaders supercharged by the latest data, technology and AI to build authentic consumer connections.

Greg James

CEO, Havas Media Network North America

We’re so incredibly excited to work with Carl Buddig as a true business partner across creative and media to help them unlock new opportunities for brand elevation, awareness, and growth.

Kat Ott

President of Havas Chicago

The first work between Havas and Carl Buddig and Company debuts in Summer 2025.

About Carl Buddig and Company

Carl Buddig and Company, based in Homewood, Illinois, is owned and operated by third generation Buddig Family members. The Company is also proud that in recent years fourth generation family members have also joined the organization. In 2018, Carl Buddig and Company will celebrate its 75th year of feeding family traditions with the very best in taste, variety and convenience. In addition to manufacturing and distributing great-tasting lunchmeat products, Carl Buddig and Company is also the parent company responsible for manufacturing and distribution of Old Wisconsin® hardwood-smoked sausage and meat snack products in supermarkets across the country. In June 2017, Carl Buddig and Company entered the barbecue and specialty meats business and is now manufacturing products under the Kingsford Brand. To learn more, please visit www.buddig.com and www.oldwisconsin.com and www.KingsfordBBQMeats.com.

About Havas

Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world’s largest global communications groups, with more than 23,000 people operating in over 100 markets and sharing one mission: to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people. To meet the needs of its clients, Havas has developed a seamlessly integrated strategy and operating system, Converged, fusing all its global expertise, tools and capabilities, to create, produce, and distribute real-time, optimized, and personalized marketing solutions at scale. With inspired human ideas at the heart of this unique model, supercharged by the latest data, technology and AI, the teams work together with agility and in perfect synergy within Havas Villages to provide clients with tailor-made solutions that support them in their positive transformation. Havas is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, that prioritizes the well-being and professional development of its talents. Further information about Havas is available at www.havas.com.

Press Contact

Lauren Beneventano Lauren.beneventano@havasmedia.com