R/GA vs Saint Elmo's

AI Labs Own the Next Software Moat: Distribution

In an opinion piece for The Drum, R/GA's global chief technology officer Nick Coronges argues that agentic AI is not killing SaaS but shifting the value layer. He contends that AI labs like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google are building a new moat through distribution, owning the general-purpose surfaces (desktop apps, agents, plugins) where work happens. The piece highlights Anthropic's partnership with Salesforce ('Claudeforce'), enabling Claude to access Salesforce data and workflows. Coronges predicts a Cambrian explosion of short-lived, composable software products, where enterprises assemble custom tools. He also notes that services firms like R/GA are increasingly delivering 'tools that make things' rather than just outputs, blurring the line between software and services.

• Nick Coronges, Global CTO at R/GA, authored an opinion piece on the future of SaaS with agentic AI.
• The article cites Salesforce's expanded partnership with Anthropic, named 'Claudeforce', allowing Claude to access Salesforce data and workflows.
• The piece argues AI labs (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google) are building distribution moats through desktop apps, agents, and plugins.

Droga5 Creative Mariano Jeger Joins OutFront, Launches IRL Studios

Mariano Jeger, former executive creative director at Droga5, has joined OutFront Media as the first chief creative officer of its new division, IRL Studios. The unit combines OutFront's creative agency, Creative Studios, with its innovation tech unit, XLabs, into a single offering. Jeger will report to Stacy Minero, OutFront's chief marketing and experience officer. He brings experience from Droga5, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, and R/GA, where he led creative for Latin America. IRL Studios aims to unify OutFront's creative and tech capabilities in out-of-home advertising.

• Mariano Jeger joined OutFront Media as chief creative officer of IRL Studios.
• IRL Studios combines OutFront's Creative Studios agency and XLabs tech unit.
• Jeger reports to Stacy Minero, chief marketing and experience officer at OutFront.

Google Health Launches AI Wellness Coach with R/GA

The article discusses the shift in wellness technology from data-driven optimization to holistic, AI-powered guidance. Google's new Health platform, built on Fitbit and Gemini AI, moves beyond passive monitoring to offer personalized, adaptive support. R/GA served as Google's end-to-end creative partner, defining brand strategy, design system, and launching an integrated campaign featuring Stephen Curry. The article highlights consumer trends like 'data-induced fitness shame' and the growing demand for proactive, holistic wellness, citing McKinsey and R/GA research. It also emphasizes the importance of 'Brand DNA' in the age of AI agents.

• Google launched Google Health, a platform built on Fitbit and Gemini AI, offering personalized health coaching.
• R/GA served as Google's end-to-end creative partner for Google Health, defining brand strategy and launching a global campaign with Stephen Curry.
• McKinsey research shows 84% of US consumers consider proactive, holistic wellness a top priority.

ING Deutschland: First major campaign by Saint Elmo's

ING Deutschland has appointed Saint Elmo's as an additional agency for strategy and creative in August 2026. The creative agency, which won the pitch against several competitors, has now unveiled its first major campaign for the financial services provider. The campaign, titled '1000 Meinungen' (1000 Opinions), focuses on retirement savings. Details of the campaign execution are limited due to the paywall, but the partnership marks a significant addition to ING's agency roster.

Dallmayr launches new umbrella campaign for Italian coffee moments at home

Dallmayr, the German premium coffee brand, has launched a new umbrella brand campaign titled 'Jedes Mal besonders' (Every time special). The campaign aims to position Dallmayr as the brand for special coffee moments at home, evoking Italian café culture. The centerpiece is a 20-second TV commercial created by agencies Fantomas and Saint Elmo's, with production by E+P Commercials, directed by Duncan Winecoff. The spot features a couple dressing up for a fancy restaurant but ultimately enjoying coffee at home, reminiscent of a recent Frosta campaign. The campaign includes five TV and digital spots for Dallmayr's product ranges: Prodomo, Crema d’Oro, Home Barista, and Röstkunst, each telling a distinct coffee moment. The commercials will run online from now until end of November, and on linear TV from October 26 to November 15.

• Dallmayr launched a new umbrella brand campaign with the motto 'Jedes Mal besonders'.
• The campaign includes a 20-second TV commercial created by agencies Fantomas and Saint Elmo's.
• The commercial was produced by E+P Commercials, directed by Duncan Winecoff.

Penny Rewards Funny TikTok Comments with Shopping Vouchers

German discount supermarket chain Penny has launched an interactive TikTok campaign called 'Comment Coupons' to reward users who post particularly funny and creative comments on its videos. Running from June 1 to the end of September, the campaign uses a proprietary AI scoring system to evaluate comments based on community resonance and content relevance, assigning voucher values of 10, 25, or 50 euros. So far, over 4,000 comments have been rewarded with a total of 45,000 euros in vouchers. The campaign was developed by lead creative agency Saint Elmo's, with social media execution by Charles & Charlotte, media planning by Pion3ers, and AI support from Plan.Net Belgium. Digital out-of-home billboards in eight German cities also displayed rewarded comments. The initiative aims to strengthen Penny's brand platform 'Echte Freude' (Real Joy).

• Penny launched the 'Comment Coupons' campaign on June 1, running until end of September.
• The campaign rewards funny TikTok comments with vouchers worth up to 50 euros.
• Over 4,000 comments have been rewarded with a total of 45,000 euros in vouchers.