Delta Talking to Burnett, TBWA

Meetings Could Mean Part or All of Airline’s Account Is in Play
NEW YORK–Delta Air Lines confirmed it is talking to agencies about its ad account, currently at Saatchi & Saatchi. The shops are thought to be TBWA Worldwide and Leo Burnett, according to sources.
Informal meetings have occurred, and the Atlanta-based airline is expected to brief the shops within a week, sources said. It’s unclear what part–or if all–of the business is in play.
“Delta basically talks with various agencies in the normal course of business and, in that, we respect the confidentially of those discussions,” said Martin White, vice president of consumer marketing at Delta.
White said it would be “inaccurate” to say a full-scale review was under way.
Both Burnett and TBWA/C/D declined comment.
Saatchi, which landed what was billed as a $100 million account in March 1997, isn’t participating in the talks, and is taking a wait-and-see approach.