Hotlinenewswire

BBDO Plans to Cut StaffNEW YORK—Having won the consolidated $2 billion DaimlerChrysler account, BBDO Worldwide now plans to lay off staff. During the review, BBDO's cost-cutting plan helped it beat roster rival FCB Worldwide. BBDO chairman and CEO Allen Rosenshine said the agency would cut staff in its North American offices because of the new structure that will be necessary to handle the consolidated Chrysler Group business globally. BBDO's winning presentation called for the agency to set up a new global structure called PentaMark Worldwide to handle the account. Rosenshine said it was not yet known how many people would be affected, because specific plans had not yet been reviewed. However, he identified several issues that need to be addressed in the restructuring to form PentaMark. First, BBDO proposed that the PentaMark organization, which operates in Detroit and Canada, should be extended globally to service all Chrysler Group and Dealer Associations' communications needs for all car and truck brands—Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge—and for the Chrysler corporate brand. Operations previously handled by individual BBDO agencies in North America will be transferred to PentaMark Worldwide, based in Detroit. PentaMark will remain a BBDO company, but will have separate dedicated resources devoted exclusively to Chrysler Group communications. Cunningham Leaves DaimlerChryslerDETROIT—Ted Cunningham, DaimlerChrysler evp, global sales and marketing, abruptly resigned last week. Cunningham had been mentioned as a candidate for the automaker's seat on the board of PentaMark Worldwide, the company formed to handle Chrysler's consolidated ad account. Sources said he was among several top executives forced out by Dieter Zetsche, who became president and CEO of the Chrysler Group on Nov. 17. Cunningham's successor will be named later, a Chrysler representative said.Ikea Narrows to 3 for $40-50 Mil. WorkNEW YORK—Ikea has cut to three agencies in the review for its $40-50 million ad account: Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG in New York and The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va. Pile and Co., the Boston consultancy handling the review, said Bensimon Byrne D'Arcy in Toronto, Crispin Porter & Bogusky in Miami and Fallon in New York were cut last week. The schedule calls for finalists to make presentations in late December and the client to make a decision by Jan. 1.Y&R, Irvine, Wins $90 Mil. in BusinessLOS ANGELES—Young & Rubicam in Irvine, Calif., has landed three new assignments valued at about $90 million in total. The agency, formed to handle Lincoln-Mercury's "American Luxury" line, was recently tapped to handle the launch of Sony's Vaio Computers and Digital Imaging products. Both assignments are valued at about $80 million. Y&R will also handle the launch of the Mattel Generation Girl line of dolls—an extension of the Barbie brand. Y&R won the estimated $10 million assignment following a review of undisclosed shops. Y&R's The Media Edge will handle media. Y&R in New York is lead agency for Fisher-Price, a division of Mattel.Torch Passes at Highway OneSAN FRANCISCO—David Brown, who most recently served as a managing director for Ogilvy & Mather in Chicago, was named president of Highway One. His appointment comes after the death of the agency's president and founder, Andrea Metzler. Brown most recently was managing director of OgilvyOne and Ogilvy Interactive in Chicago.2 More Shops Compete for $15 Mil. ATA AccountCHICAGO—Two additional agencies have joined the race for American Trans Air's estimated $15 million account, with a final list expected this week, sources said. The two shops are thought to be Publicis in Mid America in Indianapolis and Euro RSCG Tatham in Chicago, sources said. Agency officials declined comment. Another shop that was in the review, WestWayne in Tampa, Fla., has taken itself out of the bidding. An initial list of contenders also included Bozell, Grant/Jacoby and J. Walter Thompson, all in Chicago; Martin/Williams in Minneapolis; and Doe-Anderson in Louisville, Ky. The client could not be reached for comment. The Indianapolis-based airline previously handled advertising in-house.Newswire RoundupCarmichael Lynch in Minneapolis has withdrawn from the hunt for Sub-Zero's $5-10 million ad account, citing a conflict with public relations client Maytag/Jenn-Air. Still competing for the Madison, Wis., company's account are incumbent Kerker and fellow Minneapolis shop Martin/Williams, The Richards Group in Dallas, and The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va. A decision is expected before the end of the year. …Sources said 60 employees were cut earlier this month at Temerlin McClain in Irving, Texas. The layoffs represented 5-10 percent of the agency's work force, although the agency declined to confirm specific numbers. Temerlin president David Lyon indicated the reduction was related to a restructuring of the agency's business activities, adding that new hires in specific fields, such as relationship marketing, interactive, database and direct marketing, equal the number of employees let go in other, traditional areas. … Donovan Group in Northborough, Mass., was selected to handle product and brand advertising for RSA Security following an informal capabilities evaluation. The budget was undisclosed, but sources estimated it at $5-10 million.

Brand Marketing

Hotlinenewswire

Adweek Staff

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Adweek Staff