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Publicis Finalizes Bcom3 AcquisitionCHICAGO—Publicis Groupe completed its acquisition of Bcom3 Group last week, creating the world's fourth-largest holding company, with revenues of nearly $4.8 billion. At closing, the price per share of the deal was valued at about $138, which was paid through a package that included cash, Publicis shares and equity-linked securities, sources said. The deal was approved by 90 percent of Bcom3's shareholders last week, and by Publicis shareholders in June. Bcom3 partner Dentsu will own 15 percent of the merged company, which has 109 offices and employs 38,000.Doner Lands $15-25 Mil. DuPont BusinessCHICAGO—E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. awarded ad duties for its solid surfaces division to Doner. Roseanne Miller, the Wilmington, Del., company's global brand manager, said the Southfield, Mich., agency was "the best overall fit" for the division, which includes the company's Corian countertops. The win came following a review that included Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, New York, and Eisner Communications, Baltimore. The search was managed by Agencyfinder.com, Glen Allen, Va. The account is valued at $15-25 million. Tierney Drops Lottery ProtestCHICAGO—Tierney Communications dropped its remaining protests with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue over its selection of MARC USA for the state's three-year, $90 million lottery business. MARC in Pittsburgh can now proceed with contract negotiations for the account it won following a review in February, a client representative said. A civil lawsuit filed by Philadelphia-based Tier ney's CEO, who argued that the process was essentially rigged against his shop, and others remains pending. Speedo Extends Fallon RelationshipCHICAGO—Fallon has expanded its relationship with Speedo with a strategic assignment for Speedo North America, Los Angeles, going to Fallon Brand Consulting. The client in February awarded its esti mated $6 million European account to Fallon's London office. Spending on the strategic assignment was not known. Kmart Tests Price-Matching PromotionDETROIT—Kmart Corp. began a six-week promotional program over the weekend in Chicago and Detroit that may be rolled out nationally next year. The "Have to have it" program guarantees that Kmart will match lower-advertised prices on certain items. The retailer's lead agency, TBWA\Chiat\Day, New York, created TV and radio spots—which do not use the company's "The stuff of life" tagline—for the program. The Troy, Mich., retailer is considering whether the tag will be retained into next year, according to a company representative. Meridian Advertising, also Troy, handled print duties on the campaign. DDB to Break Value-Menu CampaignCHICAGO—DDB Chicago is expected to break new work this week touting McDonald's value-menu initiative. TV spots for the national effort feature Donald Trump, according to a shop representative. Addi tional spots from the Oak Brook, Ill., chain will likely use more celebrities. Attorney Johnnie Cochran is a possibility, sources said.

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