Qwest Awards Telecom Business To JWT in New York

Qwest Communications has awarded its advertising account to J. Walter Thompson in New York after an informal review with several unnamed agencies.
The Denver-based telecom’s account had been unassigned since early last year, when the company parted ways with the Focus Agency in Dallas. Bright Sun Consulting in New York had also worked for the client on a project basis.
JWT will handle general advertising, direct marketing and digital communications. Although 1999 ad budgets were undisclosed, a JWT rep confirmed the budget for the initial campaign will be $50 million.
This marks a quick rebound for JWT, whose San Francisco office lost lead agency status for the $150 million Sprint consumer account last November after 18 years.