Toshiba decides to take a look at its accounts By Michael McCarthy and Shelly Garci

NEW YORK Toshiba America, the U.S.-based subsidiary of the Japanese electronics giant, is becoming more active on the agency fron

In total, the client spends an estimated $15 million account.
Sources said last week that the company’s hwine, Calif.-based Toshiba America Information Systems wrapped up a quasi-review’ to determine if its Chiat/Day, Venice, Calif. agency would retain the roughly $10 million account. At presstime, sources indicated that Chiat had prevailed over several competing agencies.
Separately, ad agency sources in New York reported that the Wayne N.J.-based Toshiba America Consumer Products division, which markets Toshiba home electronics, might also be getting ready to contact other agencies about its $3-4 million account, which is currently being handled by Calet, Hirsch & Ferrell/N.Y.
A spokesperson for the consumer products division denied that any agency changes were planned. Calls to CHF were not returned.
Howard Emerson, director of marketing communications for the California-based laptop computer division, declined to categorize the recent series of meetings (which included presentations) as a “review”, but confirmed that his company had been hearing pitches from other agencies.
“We’re doing a sanity check on the general subject of advertising agencies,” he said.
Copyright Adweek L.P. (1993)