It looks like our spies were on point yet again as Draftfcb New York has confirmed that it “has been appointed Amtrak’s agency of record.” The agency would not elaborate further and referred all other inquiries to the client, but sources tell us that the 40-year-old passenger train brand held a “mandatory review” after its contract with incumbent Arnold D.C. expired.
Interestingly enough, a spy in the know adds that to greet the new client, walls in the DFCB NY office were painted in Amtrak coloring yesterday and included wording to the effect of, “you’re now free to use electronic devices,” which is supposed to indicate what you can’t do on a plane but can do on Amtrak Acela..or something. Someone please send us pics if this is the case. Anyhow, those familiar tell us that Draftfcb NY will take on a fully integrated assignment for Amtrak including traditional, digital as well as media buying/planning. Billings are estimated at $20 million.