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Y&R Adds $90 Mil. From 2 ClientsLOS ANGELES—Young & Rubicam in Irvine, Calif., has absorbed two accounts from sister offices and landed a third in a review. The assignments are worth a combined $90 million in billings. Sony's Vaio computers and Digital Imaging products accounts—worth a combined $80 million—are coming to Irvine from other Y&R offices. New campaigns are slated for the first quarter. Separately, the office has won a review of undisclosed shops to promote Mattel's Generation Girl line of dolls. The extension of the Barbie brand is targeted to girls 7-12. Y&R was already a Mattel roster shop. Its Media Edge unit will handle media for all three accounts. Amir Joins davidandgoliath LOS ANGELES—Ruth Amir, most recently of TBWA\Chiat\Day, has taken the post of director of planning and new business at davidandgoliath, where she has been freelancing part-time as planning director. She will initially develop strategies for Kia Motors America, currently the Los Angeles shop's only client. Amir spent 12 years at TBWA\C\D, Playa del Rey, Calif. Torch Passed to Brown at Highway One SAN FRANCISCO—David Brown, most recently managing director at Ogilvy & Mather in Chicago, has been named president and CEO of Highway One, part of the D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles network. His appointment follows the death earlier this month of agency president and founder Andrea Metzler [Adweek, Nov. 20]. Brown's career includes 12 years in marketing services at Ogilvy in London and the U.S. San Francisco-based Highway One handles direct response, interactive, promotions and advertising work for Microsoft, Levi Strauss & Co., E*Trade and other national clients. It has also worked quietly on several projects for Coca-Cola. Its billings are estimated at $54 million. FCB S.F. Hires Interactive Creative Director SAN FRANCISCO—FCB Worldwide here named Steve Vranakis interactive creative director. Vranakis will head creative efforts at the interactive department and oversee the interactive portions of many FCB accounts. He previously held the same title at Wight, Collins, Rutherford, Scott in London, working on such brands as BMW, Sega Dreamcast and Orange. WongDoody Lands Alpine Electronics LOS ANGELES—Alpine Electronics of America tapped WongDoody, Los Angeles, to create a multimedia campaign. Alpine, based in Torrance, Calif., plans to unveil a new line of car products, including navigation systems, DVD players and information systems. The agency will also handle the company's retail and trade advertising. WongDoody landed the estimated $1-3 million account following a review of undisclosed shops. Kalis & Savage, Pacific Palisades, Calif., was the incumbent. Biotech Company Taps Hoffman/Lewis SAN FRANCISCO—Hoffman/Lewis was named the first ad agency for biotechnology company Gorilla Genomics. Billings were undisclosed. A print and promotional campaign will launch in the spring.Robbie Caponetto

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