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Deutsch Snags $100 Mil. in MCI WorldCom DutiesNEW YORK—Deutsch landed a portion of the MCI WorldCom account from its longtime incumbent, Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG. The New York shop will handle all MCI-branded products and services, worth an estimated $100 million in billings, sources said. MVBMS retains the B2B account and all unbranded work, according to MVBMS CEO Ron Berger; that business is estimated to be worth more than $200 million. The telecom spent about $290 million in total on ads from January-November 2001, according to CMR.MetLife Drops AT&T Restraining Order RequestNEW YORK—Hours after filing suit to prohibit AT&T Wireless from using "mLife," MetLife withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order, according to a representative for the insurance company. In return, AT&T Wireless agreed to withdraw its application for a federal trademark for "mLife." The two companies met to discuss the matter last week, said a MetLife representative. On Feb. 1, MetLife filed suit against AT&T Wireless, claiming the wireless provider's new ads were "confusingly similar" to its own. In a statement, AT&T Wireless said that MetLife's claims were without merit. Ogilvy & Mather Settles ONDCP Suit NEW YORK—Ogilvy & Mather agreed to pay the government $1.8 million to resolve claims that the company overcharged the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Justice Department said last Monday. New York-based Ogilvy will pay $689,744 in cash and will adjust its contract to reflect a reduction of $1,150,256 in incurred costs claimed. According to the Justice Department, the settlement resolves all allegations. A separate criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is ongoing. ONDCP is rebidding its $150 million ad contract.9 Contend for $40-45 Mil. Papa John's AccountATLANTA—Papa John's Pizza cut to nine for its $40-45 million account. The Louisville, Ky., chain declined to name the agencies. Sources said Grey in New York, Austin Kelley in Atlanta, Schafer Condon Carter in Chicago and two Louisville shops, Doe-Anderson and Price Weber, were among the semifinalists. Each agency will prepare two case studies for strategic integrated campaigns. Four finalists will be issued creative assignments. Optimedia's COO Post May Not Be FilledNEW YORK—Officials of Zenith Optimedia Group, the Publicis- and Cordiant Communications-owned holding company for media shops Zenith Media and Optimedia, said they're looking to fill the president and COO position vacated last week by Steve Soldano. Sources said, however, that the position might be eliminated altogether, though no decision has been made. Sources also said that Zenith Optimedia Group may name a new chairman and CEO as early as next week to replace Gene DeWitt, who left two weeks ago. Nike Sues Sega, Leagas Over Copyright LOS ANGELES—Nike last week said it has filed suit in Federal Court of Oregon against Sega of America Dreamcast and its agency, Leagas Delaney in San Francisco, for alleged copyright infringement and unfair competition. The suit claims that a Sega TV spot created by Leagas for basketball videogame NBA 2K2 is a reenactment of a Nike ad called, "Frozen Moment." In both spots, the scene shifts from a fast-paced basketball game sequence to the slow-motion actions of onlookers. Nike representative Scott Reames said Nike is asking Sega to stop airing the ad. Nike is also asking for unspecified damages and claims that it is entitled to "a reasonable royalty on all sales of NBA 2K2 videogames," the suit says. Officials at Leagas could not be reached. Sega declined comment.Rapp Collins Seeks New PresidentNEW YORK—Rapp Collins' New York president Lesley Mair has left after less than a year, the shop confirmed. The direct marketing agency is seeking a successor; for now, worldwide CEO Malcolm Speed will run the office. Newswire RoundupGoodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco is considering opening a Detroit office to help service the $300 million Saturn account it won Jan. 31, sources said. … TBWA\Chiat\Day in San Francisco will remain open as a satellite office serving accounts such as Adidas and the Wine Market Council, the agency confirmed. As many as 50 San Francisco staffers, however, will lose their jobs. Under the new structure, the PlayStation account will move to Playa del Rey, Calif., from San Francisco—and Carisa Bianchi,TBWA\C\D San Fransisco president, will relocate to the Playa del Rey office and assume the title of managing partner. … Cambridge, Mass.-based Nan tucket Nectars is seeking a small creative shop or production house for its first TV campaign in the fall. The budget is estimated at $1-2 million. Current ads are done in-house. … WPP Group's Mediaedge: CIA in New York has won the estimated $50 million Payless ShoeSource media planning and buying business, sources said. Roster shop Barkley, Evergreen & Partners in Kansas City, Mo., did not defend. Contenders were Aegis Group's Carat and roster shop Starlink, both in Chicago, Cash Plus in Minneapolis and Grey Global Group's MediaCom in New York. … GSD&M won 7-Eleven's $25-30 million creative account last week, beating New York shops Deutsch and Wieden + Kennedy in the final round of a review. … Bcom3 Group plans to eliminate 40 positions through back-office mergers and a realignment of its IT department, a representative said. The cuts will affect Bcom3 operating units in Chicago, New York and Troy, Mich.—Leo Burnett, D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles and Starcom MediaVest—which employ 18,000 people.

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