A first-of-its-kind partnership has been announced between Northwestern University’s Medill Spiegel Research Center (SRC) and Seattle-based independent creative and media agency Copacino Fujikado, as reported by MediaPost. Recognized nationally by Ad Age as one of the best small agencies in the country, Copacino Fujikado brings 27 years of creative expertise and experience working with hundreds of clients across industries, including travel and tourism, healthcare, finance, and consumer packaged goods.
Copacino Fujikado will serve as SRC’s first advertising agency partner. Together, the two organizations will collaborate on a range of initiatives—from co-authored thought leadership to proprietary studies—designed to connect academic insights directly to creative brand strategy.
For the complete announcement, see the press release below.
SEATTLE, Wa. – September 30, 2026 – Independent creative and media agency Copacino Fujikado announced a strategic partnership with The Medill Spiegel Research Center (SRC) at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The first-of-its-kind collaboration underscores Copacino’s commitment to delivering smarter, data-driven insights for clients by aligning with one of the nation’s most respected research institutions.
“This partnership with The SRC allows us to bring world-class academic research directly into the work we do for clients every day,” said Scott Foreman, Copacino Fujikado CEO. “By pairing Copacino’s creativity and strategic expertise with The SRC’s rigorous data insights, we can deliver marketing solutions that truly move the needle for any mid-sized brand looking to punch above its weight.”
“This collaboration opens new doors for our faculty and students to engage directly with evolving marketing challenges,” said Ed Malthouse, Research Director of the Spiegel Research Center. “By embedding our applied research into real-world brand contexts, we’re not only expanding the relevance of our work—we’re also equipping the next generation of researchers with the tools and perspective needed to shape the future of marketing.”
Leveraging The SRC’s applied research into engagement, loyalty, retail strategy, and marketing ROI, Copacino Fujikado will be able to tap into the rich intelligence to deliver results for both current and prospective clients across various industries, including travel and tourism, insurance, CPG, healthcare, and more.
The collaboration will encompass year-round opportunities to work with the SRC faculty, fellows, and students on ongoing consumer research projects, providing deeper insights into consumer behavior. The teams will co-author content designed to benefit marketers at every level, like quarterly consumer insight studies and webinars showcasing applied research and best practices. The collaboration will encompass year-round opportunities to work with SRC faculty, fellows, and students on ongoing consumer research projects, providing deeper insights into consumer behavior. The teams will co-author content designed to benefit marketers at every level, like quarterly consumer insight studies and webinars showcasing applied research and best practices. The first release, “Recipes for Success: How CPG Brands Can Cook Up Better Results with GenAI,” will drop next month.
The SRC explores how consumer engagement drives financial performance. Its team has produced more than 100 peer-reviewed studies and white papers. The institution regularly collaborates with global leaders, including Google, Nielsen, Publicis, and Mondelez, and has been featured in the Harvard Business Review and other top academic journals. By connecting its research insights with Copacino Fujikado’s first-hand client experience and its proprietary creative process, “The Sprint,” The SRC can transform academic findings into visually engaging and actionable strategies, while further expanding its audience to trade publications and professional communities.
The collaboration will enable the Spiegel Research Center to combine its data-driven findings with real-world applications for Copacino Fujikado’s clients, creating a stronger bridge between academic research and applied marketing practice. The SRC has long been committed to ensuring that research does not remain confined to academia, but instead informs how brands navigate today’s complex consumer landscape.
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About Copacino Fujikado
Copacino Fujikado Advertising is an independent, full-service creative and media agency based in Seattle. We believe that every brand—regardless of category, size, or location—deserves breakthrough work. A five-time Ad Age Small Agency award winner with a growing national presence, the agency is known for bold, human-centric ideas that win attention not by being louder, but by connecting better. Since 1998, we’ve helped ambitious mid-size brands like Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Visit Seattle, RV share, REI and Gesa Credit Union stand out in crowded markets to punch above their weight. Visit www.copacino.com for more information.
About The Medill Spiegel Research Center (SRC)
Established in 2011 through a generous gift from Professor Emeritus Edward J. “Ted” Spiegel and his wife, Audrey, the Spiegel Research Center (SRC) continues Northwestern’s long tradition of applied research in advertising and marketing, supported by corporations, alumni, and industry partners. The SRC’s mission is to conduct evidence-based, data-driven research that reveals how customer engagement drives financial performance. The SRC analyzes the impact of behaviors across social media, mobile, customer reviews and ratings, loyalty programs, multi-vendor platforms, and more. Led by Research Director Professor Ed Malthouse, the team collaborates with faculty, post-doctoral fellows, doctoral candidates, and graduate student fellows. The SRC is part of The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. To learn more about the Spiegel Research Center’s work, explore recent studies, or inquire about partnership opportunities, visit spiegel.medill.northwestern.edu.