R&R Partners named top agency in Nevada

In Nevada, R&R Partners is “that agency.”

Earlier this month, Adweek selected the firm as Nevada’s top marketing agency with 49 others, one for each state. R&R made the list alongside New York’s BBDO, Illinois’ Leo Burnett and Tennessee’s The Buntin Group.

Adweek wrote: “Every state has ‘that agency.’ The one you can’t help but admire, or envy. The one where you’d like to work — or if you’re lucky, where you do work. The one that’s hard to beat. The one that critics moan is overrated. The one that, more often than not, just gets it right.”

The magazine used a methodology of a combination of head count, notable clients, legacy and reputation to create its top 50.

“Contenders were limited to agencies that were actually founded in their respective states, giving homegrown shops an advantage over the satellite offices of the big networks.”

Going into its 40th year, R&R creates campaigns for notable clients including the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, NV Energy, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Nevada Resort Association and MGM Resorts International. It has offices in Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Phoenix; Reno; Salt Lake City; Denver; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C., employing 350 people companywide and about 200 in Nevada.

Billy Vassiliadis, R&R’s CEO and principal, said he thinks the firm received the honor for a couple of reasons.

“I think longevity has something to do with it. I think the fact that we have the most visible account in the state, LVCVA. Obviously that gives us a significant advantage,” he said.

Although nice, Vassiliadis said the honor means they have to keep working to validate that top position.

“It’s nice to be named, but it’s not what gets us up in the morning,” he said.

No, what gets him up in the morning is kicking “the crap out of the competition.” Vassiliadis said he’s excited about the firm’s international clients, a segment started about two years ago. R&R has done work in Mexico and Europe and will continue to do so.

“One of the things about working in this business is there’s no end,” he said.

The ongoing challenge of his business is keeping Las Vegas as one of the top most memorable brands in the world. Vassiliadis said it’s his No. 1 priority, and about 75 people work on that account gathering metrics, running social media campaigns, creating and managing.

“It takes a lot to service that account,” he said. “It’s one that places high demand and high standards.”

On Sept. 30 the newest “What happens here, stays here” ads go out, all created by R&R.

“The most important thing, what probably is at the core of who we are, is we’re all in for our clients. We want to win for them every day,” Vassiliadis said.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.