Big Lots taps KC agency for new campaign

Kansas City-based advertising agency Barkley was hired by Big Lots to help the closeout retailer with a broad range of marketing and brand strategy initiatives.

Barkley will provide Big Lots with full-service advertising and marketing duties including brand strategy, and broadcast, print and in-store executions. Barkley will also partner with Big Lots on web strategy and execution.

"Big Lots delivers amazing value to our customers every day," said Rob Claxton, Big Lots SVP of marketing. "Barkley understood our strengths but also developed ideas that will help us get more credit for our value proposition. They really pushed us and the ideas were backed up by strong strategic insights."

The selection of a new ad agency comes as Big Lots reported a 4.6% quarterly same store sales decline in early December, a 2013 forecast that envisions further declines and the resignation of president, CEO and chairman Steve Fishman. As part of an orderly leadership transition, Fishman will continue to serve in his current roles until his successor is appointed following an executive search by Korn/Ferry International.

Fishman will remain in a consulting role after his retirement and Philip Mallott, chair of the board’s audit committee, spoke highly of Fishman’s contributions at the time his retirement was announced.

"In his role as CEO, Steve provided Big Lots with outstanding leadership and financial results during his tenure," Mallott said.