- David Gianatasio

LOS ANGELES Healthcare firm WellPoint has hired Deutsch in Marina del Rey, Calif., for its creative chores, the Interpublic Group agency said today.
 
WellPoint spent nearly $25 million through the first 10 months of 2008, up 45 percent from the year-ago period, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. The assignment covers advertising creative, interactive and design.
 
"WellPoint truly walks the walk in driving innovation in healthcare," said Michael Sheldon, agency president. "We look forward to crafting communications that will help consumers make healthy lifestyle choices and better decisions about their health."
 
The client had previously worked with Omnicom Group's DDB in Venice, Calif., where an agency rep declined comment.

Publicis' Starcom MediaVest in Chicago handles media duties.
 
"At WellPoint we are dedicated to improving the health of members and the communities we serve," said Kate Quinn, vp, corporate marketing, WellPoint.
"Working with a strong partner like Deutsch, we will be able to deepen this commitment through stronger brand communications."
 
WellPoint, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, has 35 million members in its affiliated plans.