- Andrew McMains and Eleftheria Parpis

NEW YORK UPS has cut to four finalist teams in its $200 million global marketing services review, the client confirmed on Friday.

The teams are led by WPP Group units JWT, Ogilvy & Mather and Young & Rubicam and Havas' Euro RSCG, per UPS. Final presentations are set for September.

Among the shops that didn't advance was Interpublic Group's The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va., the incumbent on creative and media duties in the U.S. Martin, a domestic agency that has worked on UPS since 2000, had partnered with sister shop Draftfcb to cover the international piece of the business, said sources. UPS had invited Martin to defend but not its previous international partner, IPG's McCann Erickson.

"We value the relationship that we've enjoyed with The Martin Agency and are extremely proud of their work in the United States on our behalf," said Christine Owens, UPS svp, communications and brand management, in a statement. "Our goal is to identify a partner agency to effectively communicate UPS's strengths on a global basis."

The finalists either declined to comment or referred calls to the Atlanta-based client.

Each contender is partnering with a media agency. JWT and Y&R are using sister agency Mindshare; Ogilvy is using Maxus; and Euro RSCG teamed up with MPG, said sources.

The account includes traditional and digital advertising, customer relationship management efforts and media planning and buying. Annual worldwide media spending on the brand is estimated at $200 million, including more than $100 million in the U.S.

The finalists emerged from a pack of eight agency teams that met with client executives last month. Other teams not advancing were led by Havas' Arnold, Publicis Groupe-backed Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Omnicom Group's TBWA, said sources.

More than 20 agencies answered a questionnaire that UPS issued at the onset of the review. AAR in London is managing the process for the client, which launched the review in April.

--with Steve McClellan

This story updates an earlier item with client confirmation and additional details.