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Shutze Joins Madison, Dissolves Richards Ties ATLANTA--Officials with T.G. Madison last week said they had recruited Virgil Shutze as president of the Atlanta agency. Shutze, former chairman and chief creative officer of BBDO South here, had been in a partnership with The Richards Group in Dallas since 1996. Richards owner Stan Richards said he and Shutze mutually agreed to dissolve the three-year-old Richards & Shutze. "It was one of those ventures where if it took off, great. If not, there was no risk for Virgil and no risk for us," Richards said last week. M&J Sells Interactive Unit to Vanguard DALLAS--Dallas agency M&J sold its interactive division to Cleveland-based online shop Vanguard Communications, which will establish a Dallas presence with the acquisition. Vanguard will assume duties for M&J clients like The Sabre Group and Galderma Laboratories. The shop, which specializes in Web site and CD-ROM development, Internet commerce and design projects, will bring aboard nine M&J staffers, including interactive vice president and general manager Linda Logan. M&J principal Bill Johnson said he had no comment on what will happen with the remaining operations of the agency, formerly Meyer & Johnson. He said he and partner Mike Meyer plan an announcement this week about the future of the 10-person shop. Schlotzsky's Is Shopping TV Creative Work DALLAS--Schlotzsky's in Austin, Texas, has tapped three finalists to vie for the broadcast creative portion of a $14 million network TV campaign launching in April. Competing are McKinney & Silver, Raleigh, N.C.; Suissa Miller, Los Angeles; and McGarrah/Jessee, Austin. McGarrah/Jessee is teaming with Wally Williams, principal in Austin music production house Tequila Mockingbird. Williams has been creating spot TV ads for the restaurant chain on a freelance basis. A decision is expected by January. Media is handled by the Chicago office of Western International Media. USAA Hires The Lord Group of New York NEW YORK--The Lord Group here has landed creative and media duties for the United Services Automobile Association of San Antonio after a review. USAA, which originally contacted shops in Texas and elsewhere, provides insurance and financial services to military personnel and select government employees, such as FBI and CIA agents. The Lord Group was selected over two other undisclosed agencies, sources said. Billings were not disclosed. Bowlin Acquires Texas Assets of Faris Outdoor DALLAS--Bowlin Outdoor Advertising & Travel Centers in Albuquerque, N.M., has increased its presence in Texas with the acquisition of selected assets of Faris Outdoor Advertising of Arlington, Texas. Bowlin paid $2.5 million for approximately 130 boards located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Bowlin now has 700 boards in the Central Texas region.

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