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Subway debuts ad campaignSubway debuts ad campaign

‘Make It What You Want’ is first work from chain’s new agency

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 16, 2018

2 Min Read
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Subway on Thursday unveiled the first campaign from its new advertising agency, hailing a change in direction for the quick-service sandwich chain. 

The “Make It What You Want” campaign launched across U.S. TV, social and digital channels with a 60-second broadcast ad that was to debut during NBC's evening broadcast of the Winter Olympic Games. It was created for the Milford, Conn.-based brand by The Franchise @ Dentsu Aegis Network. 

“This campaign marks a new direction for us," said Chris Carroll, Subway chief advertising officer, in a statement.

 "We're defining who we are in a more contemporary way, and uniting our brand with today's consumer's lifestyles, but the fundamentals don't change,” Carroll said.

“Customization, every-day affordability and delicious, nutritious sandwiches are still at the core of our business."

The “What You Want” spot features live action and user-generated content.

 

Subways new agency, The Franchise @ Dentsu Aegis Network, incorporates creative teams from Carat NY, mcgarrybowen NY, Carat Canada and DentsuBos.

"Subway is the only quick-service restaurant that truly celebrates individuality and customization," said Craig Cimmino, executive creative director for mcgarrybowen NY. “By highlighting that you can 'Make it What You Want' in life and at Subway, we've created a rallying cry for Subway customers, franchisees, and the brand.” 

Subway announced its ad agency review last July after suffering sales struggles and the 2015 arrest of its longtime spokesman Jared Fogle’s on child pornography and sex with minors charges.

Subway is the third largest U.S. restaurant chain, according to the Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 census, but its system sales declined by $200 million last year, to $11.3 billion, behind No. 1 McDonald’s Corp. and No. 2 Starbucks Corp.

Subway, privately owned by Doctor’s Associations Inc., has more than 44,000 restaurants in 113 countries. 

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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