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Sony Sets Meetings for $400 Mil.-Plus Account ReviewLOS ANGELES—Presentations begin this week for Sony Corp.'s consolidated $400 million-plus North American media business, sources said, in the first of three global media reviews. Sony's European and Asian media accounts are expected to follow the North American search. Globally, Sony spends a total of $1 billion. Although Sony has been talking with top executives at the largest media networks for seven months, until now it has neither asked for competitive information nor made clear whether it would launch a competition for its media business or simply restructure its global roster assignments. The list includes Bcom3's Starcom Mediavest Group, WPP's MindShare/The Media Edge, Publicis' Zenith Media, IPG's Universal McCann and Omnicom's OMD. Universal McCann in New York handles Sony Pictures. OMD in New York works with Sony Playstation creative agency TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif. The Media Edge handles Sony's consumer-electronics division out of its New York and Irvine, Calif., offices.Congress Mulls DTC Ad RestrictionsWASHINGTON—Two House committees—Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means—are considering proposals that would restrict direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs, or penalize consumers who use an advertised drug. Under one proposal, Congress would repeal the Food and Drug Administration's authority that allows DTC ads to be aired. The FDA relaxed its restrictions on DTC ads in 1997. A second proposal would reduce Medicare benefits for seniors who use a drug that is advertised on television. Advertising-lobby groups, including the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers, oppose the proposals. Congress is expected to begin work on a prescription-drug bill when it returns this week.Ankeney to Join Carmichael LynchCHICAGO—Carmichael Lynch is expected to name Shane Ankeney its media director, sources said. Ankeney, previously director of media strategy at TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., will replace Cheryl Jean Claude, who was in the position for just a year. Before working at TBWA\C\D, Ankeney was a media director at the Leap Partnership and also worked at J. Walter Thompson, both in Chicago.Anti-Drug Conference LoomsWASHINGTON—A bidders' conference for agencies interested in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's national anti-drug campaign will likely take place within the next two weeks, following the release of an RFP Sept. 6, the federal office said. The Department of Navy, which handles oversight for the campaign, will then appoint a committee of government representatives, who will review written submissions from agencies. The committee will make a first cut based on the submissions, and winners of that round will make oral pitches. ONDCP decided to rebid its contract with lead agency Ogilvy & Mather in New York after the Department of Justice launched a federal probe of that shop's billing practices. Ogilvy's current $160 million contract expires in January.

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