FCB/Leber Katz takes the lead in pursuit of Beefeater Gin By Michael McCarthy and Beth Heitzma

NEW YORK--As one liquor brand goes out the door at FCB/Leber Katz Partners, N.Y., the agency may be ready to toast a l

Sources said last week that FCB/ LKP is now the front-runner in the review for the $8 million Beefeater Gin account. An announcement is ex* pected from the Detroit-based Hiram Walker & Sons in the next few weeks.
FCB has been battling four other shops for the business since it went into review in February, according to sources. The contenders are the incumbent, Eisaman, Johns & Laws/ Chicago; Bloom FCA/N.Y.; Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/N.Y.; and Ross Roy Advertising/Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Hiram Walker representatives could not be reached, and executives at FCB/LKP declined to comment.
With FCB/LKP reportedly in line for Beefeater, the new billings will replace the loss of the Korbel and Bolla accounts from client Brown-Forman Beverage Co.
Dan Leese, vp/brand director for domestic wines at the Louisville, Ky.-based company, said last week that it was putting the two brands into review along with a new Brown-Forman acquisition, Fetzer wines. Korbel, the only brand with any real spending support, billed $3.6 million in 1992, according to LNA/Arbitron.
Leese said the company has already talked to 13 agencies and expects to decide by July 1. FCB/LKP, which will continue to handle other Brown-Forman divisions such as Lenox Inc. and Hartman Luggage and Leather Goods, will not participate in the review, said Leese.
Copyright Adweek L.P. (1993)