Ad agency Campbell Ewald announces move to Detroit

DETROIT (AP) -- Advertising agency Campbell Ewald will move to downtown Detroit from its current headquarters in suburban Warren, bringing with it about 700 employees, it was announced Wednesday. Company chairman and chief executive Bill Ludwig and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing held a news conference to announce the move. They said Campbell Ewald will occupy the former J.L. Hudson Co. warehouse space adjacent to Ford Field. Ludwig didn't discuss whether the company will be getting any tax breaks from the city. Campbell is expected to move late this year or early in 2014. Ludwig earlier told the Detroit Free Press that the search for a new headquarters was driven by a need for culture change. He cited the explosion of technology and social media and the need to diversify Campbell Ewald's client base. Joel Smith, a partner of the Southfield-based Neumann/Smith architecture company that is designing Campbell Ewald's offices, said the move brings a dash of creative excitement to the northern edge of downtown. "This entertainment district needed a little more infusion during the day," Smith said. "Let's see if we can get this corner of the city livened up as well." The move has been widely expected and driving business to the area for some time. "Campbell Ewald moving downtown wasn't the best kept secret in the industry. It was even more incentive" to set up shop in Detroit, said Larry August, co-owner of the film production company Hudson. It is expected to sign a lease next week to occupy two floors of a historic building owned by the real estate arm of Quicken Loans Inc. founder Dan Gilbert. Published: Fri, Mar 8, 2013