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A JWT Launches New Work for Qwest NEW YORK--Continuing to position itself as a leader in online technology, Qwest Communications launches new TV spots this week that tout its vast capabilities, with a fanciful twist. The work, from J. Walter Thompson, New York, expands on a theme unveiled in a $40 million campaign last March. One spot depicts a saloon patron asking a barmaid for Haydn's cello concerto in C-major. "Which version?" she asks, noting her jukebox carries all versions of every piece of recorded music available. The tagline, delivered by actor Willem Dafoe, remains "Ride the Light." A Gillette Taps Digitas for Interactive Assignment BOSTON--Digitas was tapped by Gillette for interactive marketing chores on brands including Mach3, Gillette for Women, Duracell and Waterman following a review of undisclosed agencies, sources said. The Boston agency will also work on Gillette.com, and spending will likely exceed $10 million, sources said. Digitas president Kathy Biro confirmed winning Gillette assignments but referred additional questions to client officials, who did not return calls. Interactive incumbent Think New Ideas, New York and Los Angeles, did not return calls, and its current status with the client is unknown. A ESPN Moves $30 Mil. Media Account to Wieden NEW YORK--ESPN shifted media duties to Wieden & Kennedy from Bozell here. The move consolidates the $30 million account at Wieden's New York office, which has handled the Bristol, Conn.-based cable network's creative duties since 1997. Prior to that, the shop's Portland, Ore., headquarters handled creative duties. A Sports Authority Cuts to 3 in $30 Mil. Review ATLANTA--Sports Authority will hear pitches this week from three finalists for the creative portion of its $30 million account. Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago; WestWayne of Atlanta and Tampa, Fla.; and McCann-Erickson Worldwide, New York, were culled from a list of nine by the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., client. DDB Worldwide, New York, declined an invitation to pitch. Client vp, marketing Jeff Handler said a winner would likely be named in February. Other shops seeking to replace The Lord Group were Gold Coast Advertising, Miami; Harris Drury Cohen, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; The Richards Group, Dallas; DeVito/Verdi, New York; and Wyse Advertising, Cleveland. A Starcom Part of $650 Mil. Sears Media Review CHICAGO--Starcom USA here is participating in the review for Sears Roebuck & Co.'s $650 million media account, sources said. Other contenders for the business are incumbents The Media Edge and Ogilvy & Mather, both New York, and Focus Media in Santa Monica, Calif. Starcom officials declined comment, and officials from the Hoffman Estates, Ill., retailer could not be reached. A Vote Taken on Leo, MacManus Merger CHICAGO--The Leo Group and The MacManus Group this week are expected to announce that shareholders have approved their proposed merger. In November, the two companies stated their intention to create a publicly held holding company, with Dentsu holding a 20 percent stake. Negotiations on Dentsu's involvement are ongoing, sources said. A Eveready to Spend $100 Mil. on New Battery CHICAGO--The Eveready Battery Co. confirmed that DDB Chicago will be handling advertising for the $100 million global launch of the new Energizer e2 battery. Ads will not feature the St. Louis company's trademark Energizer bunny, a representative said. DDB topped Leo Burnett for the business. A NorthPoint Leans in Grey's Direction LOS ANGELES--NorthPoint Communications is close to handing its $30 million account to Grey Advertising, sources said. San Francisco-based NorthPoint, which had been using local startup Nice Advertising for projects, was said to have narrowed its search to Grey in San Francisco and Citron Haligman Bedecarrƒ/Euro RSCG. A IPG Takes Suissa Stake LOS ANGELES--The Interpublic Group of Cos. has acquired a stake in Suissa Miller. Terms of the deal, announced Jan. 21, were not disclosed. The 15-year-old agency, with $280 million in billings, was one of the largest independent shops in Los Angeles. Its clients include Beech-Nut, Packard-Bell and Jenny Craig. A Berlin, Cameron Opens Hispanic Division NEW YORK--Berlin, Cameron & Partners launched its Hispanic advertising division, 28 de enero Advertising, on Friday. The unit is currently working on projects for such clients as Aetna, Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola. Mark Gonzalez, president and creative director of 28 de enero, has worked at Sosa & Associates in San Antonio, Texas, and J. Walter Thompson in New York. A Newswire Roundup DDB Chicago is expected to present new ad ideas to McDonald's in early February. The Oak Brook, Ill.-based chain wants new ads in time for its April operators meeting. As expected, Seagram selected TBWA Worldwide to handle global creative duties on Martell Cognac, previously handled by Ogilvy & Mather. Ogilvy did not defend; Grey Advertising was the other finalist. Young & Rubicam has landed creative and media duties for Concert, a joint venture of AT&T and British Telecommunications, without a review. Billings are $45 million. Print and Web ads developed by Y&R's Hong Kong office, themed "Simplicity," break this week. BBDO, Chicago, was awarded $10-15 million in ad duties for EthnicGrocer.com, Evanston, Ill., topping five undisclosed shops

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