SD’s InnoVision Forms Global Alliance

San Diego advertising agency InnoVision Marketing is joining forces with Spain’s GNF Worldwide to create a global marketing alliance. The move is InnoVision’s first public facing partnership, led by CEO and Executive Creative Director Ric Militi.

“[GNF’s] a renowned organization that is built on integrity, relationships, strategy and results. Together, our two companies can offer brands incomparable global expansion and growth strategies,” Militi said.

Militi’s local full-service, bilingual agency – which includes an in-house production studio — will add global franchise development to its growing list of in-house divisions and services which currently includes brand strategy, advertising, digital media, creative services, film production, talent and casting, social media and reputation management, traditional media, public relations and marketing.

A-List Clients

InnoVision’s big-name San Diego clients include Palomar Health and Valley View Casino & Hotel. The firm also works with clients across the U.S. and now globally. High profile other clients include LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and franchisees Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders and Island Fin Poké Co.

Earlier this year, the company announced the launch of a new division, InnoVision Talent & Casting (ITC), adding to its growing menu of in-house services. InnoVision also offers commercial film production through Pretzel Logic Productions, a wholly owned subsidiary creating cutting-edge commercial and internet films while embracing storytelling and the brand vision.

Madrid-based GNF is a global franchise consulting firm and has helped develop more than 2,900 franchise systems in 40 countries. The firm specializes in mergers and acquisitions of business chains.

Some of GNF’s standout clients range from franchised global brands like 7-Eleven and Gold’s Gym to global private equity firms like The Carlyle Group and 3G Capital and corporations like Nestlé and AB InBev.

The Spanish agency supports brands in multiple industries like Juan Valdez Café in Colombia, Marco´s Pizza in the U.S., 100 Montaditos in Spain, Big Fernand in France and Dodo Pizza in Russia.

Best Practices Haven’t Changed

“The industry’s marketing best practices are the same as they were 70 years ago. They are no longer ‘best’ practices; they are just ‘old’ ways of doing things,” said GNF Founding Partner Fernando López de Castilla, who believes the marketing landscape must change and evolve, or risk dying.

“With this partnership with InnoVision, we want to bring franchising to this century and prepare the industry for the next one,” López de Castilla said. “Franchisors and franchisees, as well as investors and entrepreneurs from around the world deserve it.”

Militi and López de Castilla are currently in discussions about designing new software systems for the franchise industry. “We also need to study and learn how to ethically apply AI to everything we do,” Militi said.

With its 50-employee team headquartered in Kearny Mesa, InnoVision has positioned itself as the Anti-Agency® and is known for putting company culture first.

“[It’s] something I am most proud of and is one of the most important things to me as a leader,” Militi said. “It defines who we are and what we believe in.”

“We have no tolerance for negativity, and always encourage positivity,” Militi added. “We believe this is the key to happiness, leading to better work and better results for our clients.”