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Silicon Graphics Trims List; Arnold Still Alive
BOSTON-Grey Advertising in Los Angeles and incumbent CKS Partners in Cupertino, Calif., have been eliminated from the review for Silicon Graphics’ $40 million account following a round of presentations, sources said. Still in contention are Arnold Communications in Boston and McCann-Erickson in San Francisco. The client may take another week or more, and possibly hold an additional round of presentations or meetings, before a selection is made, sources said.
3 Hub Shops Enter ‘Big Dig’ Finals
BOSTON-Emerging as finalists last week in the review for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project’s $2 million account were: Holland Mark Martin Edmund, CC and D Communications and Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, all in Boston, sources said. Those shops will make final presentations this week. Client officials declined to identify contenders until the selection process is concluded. The controversial $11 billion highway improvement project is seeking an agency to massage public opinion. The assignment is expected to include media campaigns as well as public and community relations efforts.
Days Inns Stresses Quality of Economy
BOSTON-Days Inns of America has changed its advertising approach and is selling itself as the biggest and best hotel chain in the economy segment. A $10 million radio and print campaign from Decker in Glastonbury, Conn., breaks this month; television support will follow. Days Inns vice president marketing Nancy Poor said she hopes the effort helps keep customers from straying to competitors such as Comfort Inn.
McDermott/O’Neill Buys Kennedy
BOSTON-McDermott/O’Neill & Associates, a public relations firm in Boston, this week will announce its acquisition of Kennedy & Co., an 18-year-old marketing and public relations shop in Boston. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founder Patricia Kennedy will maintain an executive role, McDermott/O’Neill officials said. Kennedy’s clients include Hewlett-Packard, Lotus Development Corp. and Mount Auburn Hospital.
Outdoor Publication Launches in Maine
BOSTON-Northeast Adventure magazine in Portland, Maine, is gearing up for a May launch. The bimonthly startup will feature coverage of the outdoor recreation scene in New England and New York. The magazine will have an initial distribution of 40,000. The first issue is slated to be 68 pages, 20 of which are earmarked for advertising. Jason Brady is the publisher.
Woolf Scores McDonald’s Deal
BOSTON-Woolf Associates in Boston recently brokered an agreement to place hockey stars Darren McCarty and Joey Kocur of the Detroit Red Wings in television and radio spots for McDonald’s regional co-ops. The Southfield, Mich., office of Woolf parent Arnold Communications created the ads, which are running in Michigan.