Rhone selects a marketing agency of record to accelerate growth in women's apparel and wellness sectors
Rhone Partners with Kepler to Accelerate Growth
Rhone, the premium activewear brand for men, has announced a strategic partnership with Kepler, a media agency known for its innovation and understanding of brand marketing. This marks Rhone's first dedicated media agency partnership as it aims to expand its women's collection, deepen its mental fitness focus, and scale across digital and retail platforms.
Founded in 2014, Rhone has been making waves in the activewear industry with its high-quality products. Now, the brand is at an inflection point, and Rhone's chief marketing officer, Bethany Evans, stated that the brand needs a media partner to help scale intentionally without losing its brand soul.
The partnership with Kepler is a cornerstone for Rhone's strategic ambitions. Rhone is leveraging Kepler's expertise to strengthen its media and marketing strategy, which supports Rhone's broader expansion goals by enhancing brand reach and consumer engagement across digital and retail channels.
One of the key areas of focus for this partnership is the expansion of Rhone's women's activewear line. While the specifics are yet to be detailed, Rhone's growth plans include diversifying its product offerings to align with market demand and tap into the women’s segment of activewear. This indicates a focus on inclusivity and a commitment to serving a wider audience.
Another area of focus is mental fitness. Rhone has incorporated mental fitness into its brand messaging and product orientation, reflecting a growing trend in activewear brands to position themselves not only around physical fitness but overall wellbeing, including mental health. The partnership with Kepler supports this narrative through tailored media strategies that highlight Rhone's mental fitness initiatives.
In addition, Rhone is emphasizing digital and retail growth. Kepler’s role includes driving full-funnel strategy and digital activation, indicating Rhone’s emphasis on expanding its digital presence alongside traditional retail. This integrated approach aims to increase sales via e-commerce and enhance in-store experiences, reflecting the importance of omnichannel growth in Rhone’s strategy.
Kepler will also use its proprietary AI tool, Kip AIR, to optimize Rhone's positioning in AI search engines. This technology will help Rhone stay competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Rhone is not new to hosting wellness events. The brand is doubling down on its Mind & Muscle wellness events series, which focuses on mental fitness and physical health. As part of this commitment, Rhone is launching campaigns with NBA veteran Kevin Love and LPGA stars Lilia Vu and Lauren Hartlage.
The decision to partner with Kepler follows a three-month competitive review involving eight agencies. Rhone, now a client of Kepler, prioritizes loyalty, agility, and bold thinking. The brand aims to continue growing its direct-to-consumer business, driving awareness and engagement for its women's line, and cementing its position as a leader in the mental fitness space.
With an estimated 2024 media spend of $27 million, nearly all digital, according to COMvergence, Rhone has appointed Kepler as its first-ever media agency of record. The team that pitched the Rhone account at Kepler will also service it.
Kepler's client roster includes DTC and modern retail brands like Champion, FILA, and Hasbro. This partnership underscores Rhone's commitment to working with innovative and forward-thinking partners as it embarks on its next phase of growth.
- Rhone's growth plans include diversifying its product offerings, focusing on the women’s segment of activewear, which indicates a commitment to inclusivity and serving a wider audience.
- Rhone is leveraging Kepler's expertise to strengthen its media and marketing strategy, enhancing brand reach and consumer engagement across digital and retail channels.
- The partnership with Kepler supports Rhone's strategic ambitions in mental fitness, positioning the brand not only around physical fitness but overall wellbeing, including mental health.
- Kepler's role includes driving full-funnel strategy and digital activation, reflecting Rhone’s emphasis on expanding its digital presence alongside traditional retail, aiming to increase sales via e-commerce and enhance in-store experiences.
- The partnership with Kepler underscores Rhone's commitment to working with innovative and forward-thinking partners, aligning with modern retail brands like Champion, FILA, and Hasbro in Kepler's client roster.
