DMB&B Loses SBC

SBC Communications’ decision to split its advertising by brand between two shops was a crunching blow for longtime agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in St. Louis, and a possible portent of what could happen if SBC’s acquisition of Ameritech is approved.
DMB&B lost creative duties for SBC’s estimated $40-50 million consumer services account in the consolidation. It was the agency’s largest account, representing perhaps one-quarter of total billings. While Charlie Claggett, co-managing director and chief creative officer of the agency, said he hopes to lessen layoffs by winning new business, sources said it is possible that as many as 30 positions could be cut as a result of SBC’s exit.
Last week, San Antonio, Texas-based SBC lumped Southwestern Bell creative work at GSD&M in Austin, Texas, and Pacific and Nevada Bell duties at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco.