Breville Unites With Merkley + Partners

NEW YORK, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Breville, the award-winning countertop appliance company, has selected Omnicom Group's Merkley + Partners as Agency of record, announcing the New York shop for its creative duties.

Breville, with its line of luxury kitchen appliances, recognizes a natural fit with Merkley's experience in the luxury and retail category. Breville products, such as espresso machines, juicers, blenders and grills, align well with offerings from other Merkley clients, including Mercedes-Benz USA, Arby's, Pinnacle Foods (Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Butterworth's, Duncan Hines) Ferrero Rocher (Tic Tac) and its newest win, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Inc.

"We're excited to enter a new phase of growth in North America with an Agency like Merkley," said Cliff Clive, Breville Executive Chairman. Adds Robert Sheard, Brand Director, "We feel that Merkley + Partners proven track record of creating results driven marketing that truly connects people to brands make them the perfect partner in our quest to develop lasting relationships with consumers who share a passion for the kitchen and the culinary arts."

"Merkley is delighted to partner with Breville and help extend their brand recognition and grow their business in the US marketplace," said Alex Gellert, CEO of Merkley.

Breville products have recently been featured on Oprah's Favorite Things 2007, The Martha Stewart Show and The Today Show. Products are sold at preferred Breville retailers and through the Breville online store at brevilleusa.com.

"Breville's high-end countertop appliances really allow consumers to achieve a true culinary experience in the comfort of their own kitchen," said Mandy Antoniacci, Group Account Director at Merkley.

Merkley + Partners will provide strategic counsel, advertising, media planning and point of sale services to support the company in the U.S. marketplace. New creative from Merkley is expected to launch in Q3 of 2008.

Billings on the assignments were not disclosed. About Breville:

Breville was founded in 1932 in Sydney, Australia and has become a worldwide leader in home appliances. With over 90 patents registered globally, Breville manufactures more than 220 products worldwide. Breville has received worldwide design recognition from the New York Housewares Design Awards to the Australian Engineering Awards, and a recent German GUT number 1 rating. Among its innovations include the world's first scissor action sandwich press, the world's first indoor health grill, the world's first juicer that juices the whole fruit, and the world's first active arm citrus press. In the United States, Breville is sold at specialty and department stores. Additional information about Breville and its awards winning products can be found at http://www.brevilleusa.com/ .

About Merkley + Partners

Merkley + Partners (http://www.merkleyandpartners.com/) is a leading full-service advertising Agency. Founded in 1993, M+P has more than a half billion dollars in billings and 238 employees. Headquartered in New York City, clients include Arby's, AXA Equitable, Ferrero Rocher, Mercedes-Benz USA, Novartis, Pinnacle Foods Corp., PSEG, and Schering-Plough. M+P is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Omnicom Group Inc. , a leading global marketing and communications company.