As Work Goes in-House, Goodby SF Suffers

By Matt Van Hoven 

Two major brands have announced they’re pulling their marketing/advertising work in-house. Anheuser-Busch and Hyundai, both of which are in a better position than most to succeed in a recession, are doing less with their agencies. Goodby stands squarely in the middle of these moves, and has laid off a number of staffers.

As of last September, word on the street was the Korean businessmen inside Hyundai weren’t keen on the “Think About it” campaign. But then came along the recession and Hyundai Assurance (now Assurance Plus; Hyundai will make your car payments for 3 months if you lose your job) &#151 and in 2009 the automaker is actually making money.

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Then came word that Hyundai would pull their work in-house to Irvine Calif. based World Marketing Group (aka Innocean), which already does their work in Korea (and a new office is being built/staffed stateside). AdAge reported that they’re having trouble filling the top spots. We’re hearing differently though &#151 a source inside Goodby tells us loads us creatives are chomping at the bit for the opportunity (um, as they should be &#151 don’t steal a (wo)man’s baby). The only unknown here is what happens when an ECD is finally hired. Our guess &#151 people start working.

Then there’s A-B, which recently killed Bud.TV &#151 DDB Chicago must be hurting from that. We’ve heard that Goodby was pulled off Bud’s roster as part of the brewer’s switch from a retainer to project mechanism.

And then there’s Tanya LeSieur, an executive producer &#151 you know, a real rule breaking bad ass with a “she’s a bitch” rep. That’s how you get places, people, and Tanya is off to Saatchi LA to play director of integrated production. But why would she leave Goodby? What’s she after? Is she taking something with her?

Who can say &#151 but that Comcast business has been there for awhile. And I know what you’re thinking &#151 producers don’t take business with them. But you know what? This is 2009 and this industry has flipped it’s sh*t, so expect anything.

What we do know is that 21 staffers are no longer with Goodby. Jeff didn’t get back to us.

Before we finish, let’s not forget Gooby’s kick-ass Denny’s work. A moment for the All American breakfast, if you please. Now, back to work. You might think it sucks to be Gooby right now, but from what we hear, they’ve entered some good material to the One Show. Well, that’s what Aaron Griffiths wrote on Commercial-Archive (Adland). This shop hops from carmaker to carmaker, and they always have the best people flowing through the creative stream. But right now they’re getting a bad rap, or so it seems.

Editor’s note: A-B’s advertising is not moving in-house completely. We want to clarify that they’re pulling back on spending and, per our source, doing more in-house and trimming back their agency roster.

More: “Denny’s Lands At Goodby, Silverstein

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