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Hanks Stars in Ad Council Effort NEW YORK--A new campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for a planned World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., features Tom Hanks and the tagline, "It's time to say thank you." In three TV spots, the Saving Private Ryan star talks about the sacrifices millions made during the conflict. "And yet," he says, "there is no national memorial to honor their sacrifices." The two-year Ad Council campaign, which also includes print and radio ads, is a joint effort of Marsteller Advertising and Young & Rubicam. The spots, shot by director Joe Pytka on a Malibu, Calif., beach, break this week. GSD&M Wins DreamWorks Media DALLAS--GSD&M will handle DreamWorks SKG's roughly $100 million in media placement and planning. The Austin, Texas, shop last week beat out Focus Media, Santa Monica, Calif., in the eight-month review, which included multiple spec project assignments for both agencies The decision comes shortly after GSD&M won duties on another new release, Forces of Nature. Initial assignments will only be for DreamWorks' theatrical efforts. IPG Takes Stake in Icon Medialab NEW YORK--The Interpublic Group of Cos. has agreed to become the largest shareholder in Swedish interactive firm Icon Medialab International. If approved by shareholders, IPG will make an initial $20 million capital investment in Stockholm-based Icon, giving it a 20 percent equity position. IPG hopes to make Icon its "preferred provider" of interactive services, while the latter will gain access to IPG's global network. Lowe Breaks Western Union Work NEW YORK--Lowe & Partners/SMS here broke the latest spots in its 2-year-old "Talk Show" TV campaign for Western Union last week. The humorous ads show how the company's money-transfer service can save the day. One features actress Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island. The client spent more than $30 million on ads last year, per Competitive Media Reporting. Starcom Lays Out Global Plans CHICAGO--New business plans for Starcom Media Services won't be slowed by global expansion efforts, said Starcom chief executive officer Jack Klues. Executives at the Leo Burnett subsidiary said the agency's worldwide media departments will adopt Starcom's operational model by July 31, establishing the unit as a global media network. Starcom wants to increase its total billings to $10 billion within two years. Little Caesars Promotes 40th DETROIT--Little Caesars Pizza celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new ad campaign from Bozell Worldwide in Southfield, Mich. TV spots will air nationally for six weeks on network and cable, including TNT's WCW Monday Nitro. The pizza chain is also exploring cross promotions and interactive ventures aimed at families. Cronin Bows Connecticut Lottery Ads BOSTON--Cronin & Co. has fashioned a campaign for the Connecticut Lottery with the theme, "Is this fun or what?" The work from the Glastonbury, Conn., shop is the client's first in a year. Out of respect, the Lottery had refrained from commissioning new work since a disgruntled worker shot four co-workers to death and took his own life during a rampage at the lottery's offices a year ago. Newswire Roundup Campbell Soup has shifted media planning and buying duties for its U.S. brands to The Media Edge, New York, from True North's Campbell Media Alliance, without a review. Billings are estimated at $200 million Della Femina/Jeary and Partners picked up a new assignment from The Mentholatum Co. DF/J will launch the drug manufacturer's new Migraine Ice Cooling Headache Pads with a TV and print campaign in June. Billings were not disclosed. The agency won the account after a review last fall which included six undisclosed shops Six New York agencies have been invited to pitch creative duties on American Media tabloids The National Enquirer and Star: Deutsch, Cliff Freeman and Partners, DiNoto Lee, DeVito/Verdi, Mezzina/Brown and Arnell Group Brand Consulting. The client spent less than $1 million on ads last year, but sources estimate $50 million will be spent on the consumer and trade effort. A decision is expected in early May Havas Advertising, Paris, plans to merge its media operations, including SFM Media, with Spanish shop Media Planning. The new $5 billion agency will operate under the Media Planning banner Bozell Worldwide in New York has been tapped as the agency for the American Booksellers Association's $2 million ad account. There was no review WongDoody, Los Angeles, is poised to expand its $10 million Fit TV assignment as the client prepares to join with another cable network. Fit TV parent Fox this month unveiled a deal to merge the lifestyle and fitness channel with America's Health Network Regian & Wilson Advertising & Public Relations of Fort Worth, Texas hired Stephen Daniel to head its 10-member buying unit. Daniel has more than 18 years of media experience, most recently at BBDO's Team Frito-Lay entity in Dallas Togo's Eateries, Cupertino, Calif., the 260-unit chain owned by Allied Domecq, chose VitroRobertson in San Diego for a $1-2 million broadcast assignment, after a review.

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