Two of Advertising Age’s “Hottest Brands of the Year” are linked to Oregon companies, the industry publication announced recently.

Salem-based Kettle Foods and Nike’s Jordan brand were singled out for the annual acknowledgement, which singled out 40 brands for success in 2009 — everything from Pepto Bismol to airline Jet Blue.

Kettle earned its nod for record growth and marketing innovation, for which the company credited its long-standing public relations firm, Maxwell PR.

“As our primary marketing engine public relations has done the heavy lifting for Kettle Brand,” Michelle Hunt, vice president of marketing for Kettle Foods, said in a statement. “With a limited budget and the bar set high, Maxwell has continued to keep the brand fresh and our fans engaged – and it’s paid off with significant and sustained growth.”

Keith Houlemard, president of Beaverton-based Nike’s Jordan brand, was singled out for his leadership of the business unit.

Since deciding to drop Nike’s trademark Swoosh from its sneakers more than a decade ago, the brand has grown to dominate the high-end basketball market, Ad Age reported.

Source: Portland Business Journal