- Adweek Staff

NEW YORK Modell's Sporting Goods has chosen independent Horizon Media for buying and planning chores.

The assignment represents a consolidation of chores previously split among various shops. Modell's spent $5 million last year in measured media, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. The agency's mandate covers online and offline venues, as well as out-of-home media.

A new campaign is set to break in coming weeks. Creative duties are handled in-house.

"We are very encouraged by the opportunity to leverage our proprietary tools and strategic insights to precisely target and engage the Modell's Sporting Goods consumer," said Robert Kalman, brand group director at Horizon, in a statement.

"We believe their analytical prowess and planning capabilities can help us be more efficient and strategic with our media spend -- critical to winning in our retail markets and in this economic climate," added Kimberly Kriss, svp, brand and marketing at Modell's.

The chain operates 140-plus stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Horizon is also competing for Activision Blizzard's $200 million ad account.