Arnold, Hill In Battles

Showdowns between Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos and Arnold Communications for accounts have become less frequent in recent years. Yet the closing rounds of two separate reviews now under way--Boston Beer Co. and Promus Hotel Corp.--pit New England's ad powerhouses against each other.
Seven shops, including Hill, Holliday and Arnold, will make final presentations to Boston Beer executives this week for the client's $10-12 million account. The brewer of Sam Adams last week terminated its agency-of-record relationship with Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, according to Sally Jackson, whose Boston-based public relations firm, Jackson & Co., represents the brewer.
Despite the severed ties, Jackson said Carmichael's presentation for a broadcast project would be considered along with the others.
In addition to Hill, Holliday and Arnold, the finalists for Boston Beer are Holland Mark Martin Edmund, Boston; McCann-Erickson, Gotham and Margeotes/Fertitta & Partners, all New York; and The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va., Jackson said.
While originally pegged as a review for a broadcast project only, Jackson last week said the assignment would lead to an agency-of-record relationship with the microbrewer.
Separately, Memphis, Tenn.-based Promus Hotel Corp. will hear presentations next month from seven shops in a review for a possible consolidation of its $40 million account.
In contention for the Promus business are Hill, Holliday; Arnold; Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago; TBWA Chiat/Day and Deutsch, both New York; as well as incumbents DDB Needham Dallas and GSD&M, Austin, Texas, according to sources.
Promus officials and agency executives declined comment.
The contenders have been given a branding project. Ammirati Puris Lintas, New York, was originally contacted by the client about the account but did not receive the assignment, sources said.