Hill, Holliday Talks of Buying Shop to Add to Verizon Business

ATLANTA On-again, off-again merger talks between independent shop Erwin-Penland and Interpublic Group’s Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos are back on, sources said.

The agencies are believed to have held talks as recently as two weeks ago. Erwin declined to say how far along discussions have gone.

Hill, Holliday declined comment.

Both shops handle considerable portions of regional Verizon Wireless accounts. E-P, in Greenville, S.C. has accumulated about$40 million in business from the Bedminster, N.J. client. The shop handles the $17 million Southern retail account and the $25 million Southeast share.

Hill,