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Initiative Tapped by Cox AgainLOS ANGELES—Initiative Media said it has expanded its relationship with Cox Cable and will begin media planning and buying for the company's San Diego operation. Randy Bixler, Initiative's director, Western region client services, will manage the account from Initiative's San Diego office. The Los Angeles-based media shop already handles Cox Cable's Phoenix market. Spending was not disclosed. Kinko's Cuts to 6DALLAS—Six agencies have emerged as contenders for the $30 million Kinko's account. The client, which earlier this month said it will relocate its headquarters from Ventura, Calif., to Dallas, is considering incumbent TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif.; Texas agencies GSD&M, Austin, The Richards Group, Dallas, and Temerlin McClain, Irving; D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, St. Louis; and J. Walter Thompson, Chicago, sources said. A cut to two or three finalists was expected late last week, sources said. The client could not be reached. Veritas Chooses Hill, HollidaySAN FRANCISCO—Veritas Software Corp. has selected Hill, Holliday in San Francisco to handle its $10-$15 million account. Other finalists in the review were Doremus in San Francisco and Leo Burnett in Chicago. The client's former agency, Dayner/Hall Advertising in Orlando, Fla., did not participate in the pitch. Veritas is a $1.5 billion software storage company based in Mountain View, Calif. New advertising for the client is expected to break after the first of the year. Lowe Lintas Resigns Western UnionNEW YORK—Lowe Lintas & Partners has resigned its portion of Western Union's $25 million account, citing the client's desire to focus on marketing to Hispanics. It's unclear what Western Union parent First Data Corp. in Englewood, Colo., will do with the business, but a shift to another roster shop is one possibility. A client representative said the company was "not soliciting any outside proposals," noting that Western Union has been conducting an "internal review" of its marketing partners over the "last couple of months." Western Union recently installed a new chief marketing officer, Lisa Buckley, who previously was svp and general manager of global development. Western Union's Hispanic market agency is Bromley Communications in San Antonio. McGhie Departs Y&RSAN FRANCISCO—Austin McGhie is leaving his post as president and CEO of Young & Rubicam in San Francisco to pursue career opportunities on the client side. Prior to joining Y&R five years ago, McGhie served as president of Cole & Weber in Seattle. His past experience also includes a 10-year stint in the marketing department of packaged-goods giant Kellogg's. McGhie said he did not plan to return to the packaged-goods industry. But he does intend to do consulting work with one or two Y&R clients, including VeriSign, while looking for his next job. No replacement has been named at Y&R. Townsend Enters Orange CountyLOS ANGELES—Technology marketing shop The Townsend Agency has opened its second full-service office in Irvine, Calif. The office will be led by Neil McQueen, Townsend's executive vice president of brand marketing and creative director, and includes "a couple," additional employees and undisclosed clients, an agency representative said. The agency, which is headquartered in San Diego, claims billings of roughly $45 million. FCB Launches Major League Baseball AdSAN FRANCISCO—Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco has launched a new 30-second television ad for Major League Baseball titled "We Owe You." The spot is part of the larger "Thank You Fans" campaign, which began in 1998. The new ad debuted over the weekend during the first game of the World Series and features baseball greats like Cal Ripken, Derek Jeter and Tony Gwynn.

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