Hotline

Grey Trims Staff After Account LossLOS ANGELES—Grey Worldwide's Los Angeles office last week joined the ranks of ad agencies trimming staff. The shop's president, John Crosson, confirmed the layoffs but declined to say how many people were let go. Asked if it was more than a dozen, he said, "I'm not going to deny that." He said the move was precipitated by the loss of 17-year client U S West, which was acquired recently by Quest Communications. U S West spent about $12 million annually on advertising, Crosson said.Agencies Vie to Get LuckyLOS ANGELES—Lucky Brand Dungarees has been talking to undisclosed West Coast creative shops about a campaign promoting its planned expansion outside its Los Angeles base, sources said. The distributor of sportswear and loungewear is expected to spend $10-15 million on the campaign. The account had been handled in-house. The upcoming work will likely include a first-ever TV component, sources said. "It's a hipper brand, like Diesel," said one source. "It's a fashion brand with a high profile, and it should be a great creative opportunity." Lucky representatives did not return phone calls seeking comment.Fallon Wins $40-50 Mil. OmniSky Account SAN FRANCISCO—Fallon in Minneapolis last week won the $40 million OmniSky Corp. account, wresting the business from incumbent TBWA\Chiat\Day in San Francisco, sources said. The decision follows a short review that included both of those agencies as well as Lowe Lintas & Partners in San Francisco and New York and Ogilvy & Mather in San Francisco. Sources said Fallon's interactive department helped pitch the business. OmniSky, based in Palo, Alto, Calif., provides wireless Internet and e-mail services for handheld computing products. Riester-Robb Lands California Recycling ... AgainLOS ANGELES—After a second review, the California State Department of Conservation again awarded its $10 million-plus Division of Recycling account to Riester-Robb in Phoenix. Riester-Robb had won the account in an earlier review, but agencies including Asher/Gal & Partners, Los Angeles, and Lawrence, Mayo & Ponder, Newport Beach, Calif., had protested that the shop was in violation of a state provision because it didn't have an office in California. Y&R Promotes Key Staff LOS ANGELES—Young & Rubicam has promoted key executives on its Lincoln Mercury account in Irvine, Calif. Ed Collins, who had served as svp for the Mercury brand team, becomes evp, Lincoln Mercury brand team leader for Impiric. Allan Finehirsh was promoted to evp, director of events and promotions. Mark Turner ascends to Lincoln Mercury brand team leader. He previously served as Lincoln brand team leader. Kaplan Joins Adweek's Media TeamNEW YORK—David Kaplan has joined Adweek as media reporter, based in New York. Kaplan, 32, was previously staff reporter and special issues editor for The Bond Buyer. He reports to media editor Jack Feuer.

Brand Marketing

Hotline

Adweek Staff

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Adweek Staff