Hotlines

Ex-McCann CEO Heekin Could Resurface in Top Spot at Havas NEW YORK Havas' Euro RSCG Worldwide is in talks with former McCann-Erickson WorldGroup CEO Jim Heekin about a top spot at the network, sources said. He is one candidate being considered for a new post designed to aid Euro RSCG chairman and CEO Bob Schmetterer, who added duties as president and COO at Paris-based Havas last December, said sources. Heekin was dismissed from McCann in February after a reign that was marred by an $181.3 million accounting imbalance at parent Interpublic Group, the bulk of which stemmed from McCann offices in Europe. Heekin could not be reached. Schmetterer was traveling and did not return calls or e-mails seeking comment. A Euro RSCG representative declined comment. KB&P Prevails in Jergens Pitch, Wins $95 Mil. Ad AccountNEW YORK Independent New York shop Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners won Andrew Jergens' estimated $95 million U.S. creative account, the client confirmed. KB&P beat Havas' Arnold in New York in the final round. Two other New York shops, IPG's Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos and Wolf Group, were cut earlier. The business includes Jergens brands and John Frieda Professional Hair Care products. Cincinnati-based Jergens hired New York consultancy AAR Partners to manage the review after the possibility of future conflicts emerged with Johnson & Johnson at IPG's Lowe, Jergens' agency since February. Ground Zero's Anti-Drug Ads Ask, 'Still in Control?'los angeles Ground Zero has unveiled its first work for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's "Check Yourself" campaign. The pro bono effort is meant to prompt kids and teens to question if they're in control of their drug use. It includes two videos running in malls, as well as print and outdoor. One video shows orange circles and messages such as, "I'd never try weed. Okay, maybe weed, but never ecstasy," and "Okay, maybe ecstasy, but never coke." The orange circles fill the screen to reveal an eye close up. The spot asks, "Still in control?" Publicis, Active Value Deny Link to CCG Investor NEW YORK Publicis Groupe denied it was working in concert with Naheed Ojjeh in an effort to gain control of British holding company Cordiant Communications Group. Ojjeh is the Syrian-born chess promoter who has amassed a nearly 11 percent stake in CCG. Publicis also said it rejected proposals put forth by London-based Active Value, the dissident 28.7 percent CCG stakeholder, which opposes WPP Group's bid for CCG. The statement was issued in response to U.K. press reports suggesting Publicis was teaming with Ojjeh and/or Active Value to trigger a change in control of CCG, which would drive down the price of the 25 percent stake CCG holds in Zenith Optimedia. Active Value also denied having any discussions or contact with Paris-based Ojjeh. IPG Finalizes NFO Sale to Taylor Nelson Sofres new york Taylor Nelson Sofres completed the acquisition of NFO WorldGroup from IPG for $425 million. Of that amount, $400 million was paid in cash, and $25 million was paid in 11,688,218 new TNS shares issued to IPG. An additional $10 million may be payable to IPG in cash after July 2004, based on TNS' share price at that time. Final Presentations for Subway This WeekNEW YORK Final pitches for Subway's $220 million creative account are today and tomorrow at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, sources said. Presenting are IPG's Deutsch in New York, Publicis Groupe's Fallon in Minneapolis, Omnicom's Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco and independent Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore. Each shop will get two hours in front of more than a dozen execs from the Milford, Conn.-based client. A decision is due July 21. Joanne Davis Consulting in New York is managing the process. Media chores, at Grey Global Group's MediaCom, are not in play. Merkin Exits Cliff Freeman to Succeed Roddy at Fallon NEW YOrk Ari Merkin is leaving Cliff Freeman and Partners to join Publicis Groupe's Fallon here as a creative director, sources said. He is succeeding ecd Kevin Roddy, who is moving to Havas' Euro RSCG MVBMS Partners. Merkin, 33, gave notice at Cliff Freeman last week, the shop said. He was one of four acds there and is the fifth senior exec to leave since June.

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