Zimmerman to handle Ashley Furniture HomeStores advertising

Previously had Wickes Furniture account

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, April 30, 2009

ARCADIA, Wis. — Ashley Furniture HomeStores President John Disa is continuing to gather talent from his days at the former Wickes Furniture with the hiring of Zimmerman Advertising to handle the brand-building advertising campaign for the Top 100 store network.

Ashley Furniture HomeStores, with nearly 400 licensed and company-owned stores, projects its media marketing budget to be more than $50 million this year, according to a news release from Zimmerman. Initial work is expected to appear by the third quarter, the agency said.

"I have firsthand experience with Zimmerman's ability to take a company to its greatest potential - from good to great, and in this case, I believe it will be from great to really exceptional," Disa said.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Zimmerman worked with Disa when he was CEO of the former Wheeling, Ill.-based Wickes, which closed in 2008. Since joining Ashley Furniture Home Stores, Disa has brought in other Wickes talent, including most recently Dave Mattea as vice president visual.