First Union Taps Pile

First Union Corp. is looking to consolidate its direct marketing business, now split among more than a dozen shops, at one or two large direct marketing agencies, sources said.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based financial services giant has retained consulting firm Pile and Co. in Boston to develop a list of contenders.
New England, New York and Southeast shops as well as some of the client’s incumbent agencies will be invited to pitch, sources said. Geography is not a factor in the search, but contenders must have at least some financial services and banking experience, no obvious conflicts and be large enough to absorb the account, sources said.
Pile and Co.