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Arco Added to BP Amoco Mix LOS ANGELES--The saga of where BP Amoco's ad account may land now has another twist, as the newly merged oil company agreed last week to buy Atlantic Richfield for $26.6 billion. The deal, awaiting regulatory approval, would create one of the largest energy companies in the world. Rubin Postaer and Associates, Santa Monica, Calif., has handled Arco's $30 million account for nearly four years. BP Amoco is quietly conducting its own U.S. corporate image review, said sources. Doner in Southfield, Mich., handled the former BP's $12 million account; Leo Burnett in Chicago had Amoco's $30 million consumer account. Del Webb Narrows to 4 Shops LOS ANGELES--Del Webb Corp., a Phoenix retirement community developer, has narrowed the list of contenders for its estimated $10 million account to Phillips-Ramsey, San Diego; Doner, Newport Beach, Calif.; DDB Needham, Dallas; and Publicis & Hal Riney, Chicago. Among those eliminated: Grey Advertising, Los Angeles; Bozell Worldwide, Costa Mesa, Calif.; and The Richards Group, Dallas. A decision is expected by May. Ad Spending Gains Slowest in 7 Years NEW YORK--Ad spending grew 8.3 percent in 1998, the smallest increase since 1991, according to a new study by Competitive Media Reporting. The year showed "explosive growth in electronics spending," which jumped 1,238 percent. Advertising for online and Internet services also surged, increasing 78 percent, and prescription medicines topped the billion-dollar mark for the first time. Major category losers included women's healthcare products, down 42.3 percent, and pharmaceutical houses, which shifted money to specific medications after rules on prescription brand ads were relaxed. For the fourth straight year, General Motors was the largest advertiser, shelling out $2.1 billion; that figure is a 4.7 percent drop from '97. Shopko Stores Cuts to 5 Finalists CHICAGO--Five shops will make final presentations to Shopko Stores for its $12 million broadcast creative account, including media buying and planning. Shops advancing are: Cramer Krasselt and Grant/Jacoby, both Chicago; Campbell-Ewald Advertising, Warren, Mich.; Hoffman York, Milwaukee; and Valentine Radford, Kansas City, Mo. Lowe Buys Share of St. Louis Promo Shop CHICAGO--The Zipatoni Co. in St. Louis sold a "substantial minority" interest to The Lowe Group, part of the Interpublic Group. The agency will retain its name and work with Lowe Group agencies. Zipatoni's major clients include Miller Brewing and Coca-Cola. Pile and Co. Adds Ocean Spray Marketer BOSTON--Lynn Rotando will leave the top marketing post at Ocean Spray Cranberries to join management consultancy Pile and Co. here. His departure from the cranberry cooperative in Lakeville, Mass., is expected to have no immediate effect on the client's lead agency, Arnold Communications in Boston, according to a client representative. The company spends $35 million a year on ads. Angotti Bows New RCN Spots NEW YORK--Angotti, Thomas, Hedge's new $15 million effort for RCN focuses on the company's new Internet services. One TV spot, which breaks today, explains, "Five leading Internet providers have united as one force," as the names of new RCN properties Javanet, Erols, Ultranet and Interport appear next to points on a star. To emphasize the speed of the offerings, the spot begins with colorized footage of slow-moving explorers. The tagline remains: "The live wire of communications." Lowe Extends Century 21 NEW YORK--Lowe & Partners/SMS here broke two new spots in its "Perfect World" TV campaign for Century 21's $50 million ad account. Work for the Parsippany, N.J.-based real estate company features New York Yankees manager Joe Torre and Dr. Joyce Brothers, who play the town's high school baseball coach and guidance counselor, respectively, in a humorous attempt to relieve consumer anxiety about real estate transactions. Century 21 continues to employ the tagline, "Real estate for the real world." ANY Looks for a Few Good EggsNEW YORK--The deadline for entries has been extended in the Advertising New York's fourth annual "Good Egg" awards, which honor good corporate citizens among ad agencies, media companies and clients. Submissions are now due April 20. The "Good Egg" awards will be given at a June 23 luncheon; winners will also be fted during "Ad Day New York" at Lincoln Center later this year. For more information, contact Gina Grillo at (212) 533-8080. Newswire Roundup Goldberg Moser O'Neill is in final negotiations with Gateway Learning, San Francisco, following a review for the client's estimated $10 million Hooked on Phonics account, said sources. Young & Rubicam and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, both San Francisco, also pitched Gillespie/RAR Healthcare in Lawrenceville, N.J., has won the estimated $15 million direct-to-consumer Cenestin ad account for Duramed Pharmaceuticals in Cincinnati, Ohio, following a review of undisclosed shops.

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