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Utilizing the resources of parent Omnicom Group, Ketchum Advertising in Pittsburgh is participating in Shell Chemicals’ review of its global corporate communications account.
The London-based company will hear presentations this week from four U.S. agencies, each of which has teamed with London-area shops to pursue the business.
Ann Iverson, owner of Houston marketing consultancy Creating Selling Opportunities, is assisting Shell with the search. She said Ketchum Advertising is pitching in conjunction with TBWA Payne Stracey. Also pitching the account are The Focus Agency, Dallas, in conjunction with Maher Bird; BBDO South, Atlanta, with Clarke Hooper Consulting; and Bates Southwest, Houston, with Bates Dorland.
Iverson would not say how U.S. incumbent Black Rogers Sullivan Goodnight, Houston, might be affected by the review. BRSG picked up the account through an acquisition of Houston business-to-business agency MDR in 1990.
The U.S. account was estimated at $5-7 million when it was placed in review last year. That search was postponed last September, with Shell executives citing a “globalization effort and the possible consolidation of work in various locations” as contributing factors.
At that time, Shell representative Eydie Pengelly told Adweek, “We want to accurately portray the scope of the account to all agencies involved in the process, and we don’t have a [clear] picture at this point.”
Iverson would not say whether globalization of the account would lead to larger billings. She also did not divulge a target date for a decision.
