Hotline

Anti-Tobacco Campaign: Smoked for '03BOSTON—In a move that surprised and angered health professionals in Massachusetts and beyond, Gov. Jane Swift cut the budget for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program to $10 million for the 2003 fiscal year, far below the $30 million requested by the legislature and only about half the spending level Swift herself had initially mandated. "In practical terms, it means the end of Arnold's highly touted [ad] campaign" for the current fiscal year, said MDPH representative Roseanne Pawelec. Arnold remains on retainer should funds be restored. In the short term that appears unlikely, though there is some chance existing commercials could run as PSAs, Pawelec said. Ads often used some variation of the tagline "Make smoking history." The effort throughout its decade-long run was hailed as a national model, with the work frequently adapted for use in other markets. Tech Accounts Novell, Lycos Rate ShopsBOSTON—Novell has heard presentations from the four contenders pitching its $30 million U.S. account, with a decision set for this week or next, sources said. Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Boston; Mullen, Wenham, Mass.; J. Walter Thompson, New York; and the team of Young & Rubicam, New York, and incumbent SicolaMartin, Austin, Texas, are the finalists, sources said. Separately, executives of Terra Lycos in Barcelona, Spain, are considering roster shops Hill, Holliday and Ogilvy & Mather, New York, which presented more than a week ago in a shootout for the estimated $20 million account of the Lycos Internet portal, sources said. Hill, Holliday handles Lycos; Ogilvy works on the Terra brand. Representatives of Novell and Terra Lycos declined comment. Duracell Moves Creative From BBDO to AcmeNEW YORK—The Acme Idea Co. has been awarded North American creative duties for Duracell, the client said. The estimated $40 million business moved to the Norwalk, Conn., shop from BBDO here after a review of undisclosed agencies. Roster shops McCann-Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather also presented ideas, sources said. Bethel, Conn.-based Duracell said BBDO will retain media with OMD. BBDO also handles Duracell in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The move out of BBDO was expected. In June, the client had met with roster shops and at least one nonroster agency about new creative, sources said. BBDO continues to handle the worldwide account for Gillette grooming, oral care and personal care brands. Havas Reports Sluggish First HalfBOSTON—Softness in traditional media advertising, particularly in North America, led to a slow first half of 2002 for Havas, the French holding company said last week. Havas reported its revenue and billings dropped 3.4 percent to about $1.01 billion and $6.75 billion, respectively, compared with the same period a year ago. Adjusted for currency fluctuations and acquisitions, the decline was 5.4 percent. Second-quarter revenue fell more than 5 percent to $567 million, compared with the same period for 2001. Havas, parent to the Arnold, Euro RSCG and Media Planning networks, will disclose net income in September.

Brand Marketing

Hotline

Adweek Staff

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Adweek Staff