Texas Dairy Puts Freeze on Blue Bell Ice Cream Account

Blue Bell Creameries’ estimated $3 million advertising account will remain in-house following the death of longtime creative partner Lyle Metzdorf.

The Brenham, Texas, company issued a statement to that effect last week after fielding numerous calls from agencies.

Said Blue Bell vice president and general sales manager Melvin F. Ziegenbein, “Lyle’s work with us in recent years was on a project basis and due to his diligence, we are fortunate to be in a good position at this time.”

Metzdorf, a noted creative director who had worked with Blue Bell since 1963, died last month in a fire aboard his sailboat.