- Adweek Staff

Telecommunication provider FairPoint has tapped independent Portland, Maine, agencies Garrand and Via for marketing chores in Northern New England.
 
The client spent $1.6 million on ads through the first eight months of 2009 after spending $2.5 million in measured media all of last year, per Nielsen.
 
Garrand will concentrate on marketing the client's VantagePoint network to medium- and large-business users, while Via handles residential and small-business outreach, as well as social media.
 
Jim Weigert, client vp, marketing and product development, said: "This choice underscores our commitment to select top-tier vendors and demonstrates our commitment to do business with locally based companies. We look forward to the beginning of a long and successful relationship with these agencies."
 
Northern New England represents an expansion of FairPoint's footprint following the company's acquisition of Verizon lines in various regions. There was no previous shop on that assignment.