Woof! Woof!--PetSmart Names GSD&M Creative Partner

~GSD&M and PetSmart come together to make a difference in the category

~~Agency tasked with driving emotional appeal of the pet experience

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Oct 14, 2014, 03:56 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PetSmart (NASDAQ:PETM), the world's largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets, today announced it has named GSD&M as its creative advertising partner. In the new relationship, GSD&M is tasked with activating the brand's purpose through powerful and emotionally rich ideas across all media, enabling PetSmart to increase preference and drive sales within the pet category.

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"We were immediately drawn to GSD&M's retail expertise and deep understanding of how to turn a brand's purpose into ideas and solutions for our category and customers," said Phil Bowman, EVP/customer experience at PetSmart. "As we kick off the partnership, we look forward to calling the agency our partner and working closely to distinguish the PetSmart brand."

"Pets create an emotional connection with people like nothing else. To work on something we genuinely love and support and believe in is an honor," said Jay Russell, chief creative officer at GSD&M. "We can't wait to partner with PetSmart on this new chapter. Woof, woof."

The first work from GSD&M is expected to break in early 2015. PetSmart's media planning and buying duties are currently handled by OMD.

About PetSmart
PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 53,000 associates and operates approximately 1,352 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and, 200 in-store PetSmart^® PetsHotel^® dog and cat boarding facilities and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (http://www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp^SM day care services and pet adoption services. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada, PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 5.7 million pets since 1994. PetSmart Charities, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada (collectively "PetSmart Charities") are independent, nonprofit organizations that save the lives of homeless pets and reduce shelter intake through spay and neuter efforts. In 2013, nearly 440,000 dogs and cats found homes through PetSmart Charities' adoption centers in all PetSmart stores and by sponsoring community adoption events. PetSmart Charities is the leader in granting money to help pets in need, with more than $34 million given in 2013 throughout North America.

About GSD&M
GSD&M is an advertising agency headquartered in Austin and focused on ideas that make a difference. With a restless culture and purpose as a guiding force, GSD&M builds brands with an integrated creative and media approach. GSD&M is part of Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMC). For more information, go to GSDM.com.

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SOURCE GSD&M