Hotline

Qwest Sends Out RFPs for $100 Mil. PrizeNEW YORK—The RFP in Qwest's $100 million review asks for operational information and strategic thinking, said sources. Qwest is looking to consolidate its business, split between J. Walter Thompson in New York and DDB in Chicago, at one shop. The RFP went to the incumbents, Leo Burnett in Chicago and New York shops McCann-Erickson and Foote, Cone & Belding, sources said. (McCann, on Sprint's roster, declined to participate). WorldCom Halts Consumer Print AdsNEW YORK—Plagued by a plunging stock price, WorldCom earlier this month suspended indefinitely its consumer print advertising and delayed B2B spending in magazines until the late second half, sources said. WorldCom spent about $15 million on print for the first 11 months of 2001, according to CMR. Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG in New York handles WorldCom B2B business. The unbranded business, also handled by MVBMS, and the MCI-branded account, which Deutsch in New York handles, is unaffected, sources said. WorldCom could not be reached. MVBMS declined comment. EarthLink to Meet With 7 for $40-50 Mil. AccountLOS ANGELES—Seven shops are set to pitch EarthLink's $40-50 million account this week at the client's Atlanta headquarters, said sources. Leo Burnett in Chicago will pitch on Tuesday morning, followed by McKinney & Silver in Raleigh, N.C., and Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore., sources said. Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Miami, is expected to present on Wednesday, with the incumbent, TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., scheduled to go last. It could not be determined when New York shops Berlin Cameron/Red Cell or D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles are pitching. Heineken Taps D'Arcy, MediaVest for $60 Mil. AccountNEW YORK—Heineken USA and Heineken International have shifted their estimated $60 million account from Lowe in New York to New York shops D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles (for creative duties) and MediaVest (for media planning and buying duties), the client confirmed. Rumors of the move first surfaced last November [Adweek, Nov. 12]. Kirshenbaum Lays Off 9 Percent of StaffNEW YORK—Following last month's loss of the $70 million Revlon account, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners slashed 9 percent of its 223-person staff Friday, an agency representative confirmed. Twenty-one staffers were affected across all disciplines. Overall staff count now stands at 202. Account ActivityProgressive Insurance will be sending out proposal requests for a new, creative assignment targeting teens, the client confirmed. The assignment spans five years with annual billings of $5-10 million, sources said. Progressive's lead agency, Doner in Southfield, Mich., is said to be participating. Roth Associates in New York, the consultancy, could not be reached. … Allied-Domecq is consolidating U.S. media planning for its liquor brands at Zenith Media in New York, sources said. Zenith, the client's media buying agency, picks up the work from roster shops BBDO, Chicago, and New York's dRush and Bates. The client spends $40 million-plus, according to CMR.

Brand Marketing

Hotline

Adweek Staff

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Adweek Staff