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Circus Circus Enterprises Inc. is searching for an agency to handle the launch of Mandalay Bay, a Las Vegas hotel and casino, according to John Marz, vice president of marketing for the client.
Marz declined to comment on billings. Sources said the budget is expected to be $20-30 million.
Contenders for both the creative and media duties have been narrowed to “several” Southern California shops, according to Marz, who declined to identify them. He did say that agencies under consideration all have experience in travel, tourism and entertainment. A winner could be announced as soon as this week, Marz added.
Marz joined Circus Circus last month from DRGM, a Las Vegas agency which handles the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Marz was president and chief operating officer there. Mandalay Bay vice president of marketing Jack Leone, who joined Mandalay last month from MGM, is assisting Marz with the review.
The luxury, tropical-themed resort is set to open on the Las Vegas Strip in the first quarter of 1999. It will be Circus Circus’ most upscale property, Marz said, with 3,700 rooms, a 10-acre tropical lagoon with a sand and surf beach, a swim-up shark tank, a 30,000-square-foot spa and a rum distillery. Also contained within the hotel will be a Four Seasons Resort.
Circus Circus owns and operates the Luxor, Excalibur and Slots-A-Fun, in addition to a 50 percent share of the Monte Carlo, also in Las Vegas. The company also owns Circus Circus-Reno and the Colorado Belle and the Edgewater in Laughlin, Nev.
