AUSTIN, Texas, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Sanders\Wingo today announced that Thorntons, one of the leading independent gasoline and convenience chain retailers in the U.S., selected the award-winning firm as its agency of record. Thorntons operates more than 160 stores throughout the Midwest.

"A name like Thornton's carries such a great amount of brand trust and loyalty, and we're honored to be beginning this relationship," said Leslie Wingo, senior vice president and group account director at Sanders\Wingo.

Wingo noted the importance of that loyalty as the retailer continues to expand efforts into different media, such as digital and social.

The agency will handle regional branding and multi-discipline campaigns for the client, including cross-promotion of the retailer's internal brands, such as coffee, fountain drinks and fresh foods.

"Sanders\Wingo competed enthusiastically to win our business," said John Zikias, executive vice president of Thorntons Inc. "We appreciate the team's strategic thinking and creative approach to the assignment, especially as we look toward expansion of digital efforts."

The relationship begins July 1, 2011.

About Thorntons

Founded by Kentucky native James H. Thornton in 1971, Thorntons is one of the leading independent gasoline and convenience chain retailers in the U.S. It currently operates throughout the Midwest under the brand name Thorntons. With more than $1.4 billion in revenue, Thorntons is one of the largest privately held corporations in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Thorntons operates 165 gasoline and convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in five states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. In 2008, Thorntons ranked number 250 among Forbes Magazine's 500 largest privately held companies. For further information, visit Thorntons at www.thorntonsinc.com.

About Sanders\Wingo

Sanders\Wingo is an award-winning, independent advertising agency that has represented some of the most recognizable regional and national brands, including Peter Piper Pizza, Petro, Fuddruckers, U.S. Postal Service, State Farm, General Motors and AT&T. Sanders\Wingo has offices in Austin and El Paso, Texas with satellite locations New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. For more information on Sanders\Wingo, visit http://www.sanderswingo.com.

SOURCE Sanders\Wingo