BSB, Bozell compete for Bristol-Myers; DDB quits the biz

Backer Spielvogel Bates and Bozell are dueling for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Excedrin business following DDB Needham’s resignation of all its Bristol billings. DDB’s move followed Bristol’s decision to reassign Excedrin, said sources.
Although Bristol-Myers Products executive vp Peter Dolan told DDB executives that Bristol had no current plans to pull other DDB brands, he did little to reassure DDB of its long-term future as a Bristol agency.
“We had a conversation where it became clear to us that for historical or for whatever reasons, our relationship was never going to be great,” said DDB executive vp Tony Wright.