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JWT Opens Integrated Unit NEW YORK--J. Walter Thompson Worldwide has created J. Walter Thompson Total Solutions Group to provide clients with database and relationship marketing services. The new unit will be based in New York and overseen by chief executive officer Michael Graham, currently the head of WPP Group's Specialist Communications' direct marketing business in Washington, D.C. Spike/DDB Drops Out of PSE&G Review NEW YORK--Spike/DDB here has removed itself from the review for the $8-10 million account of Newark, N.J.-based utility Public Service Electric & Gas. Incumbents DKB & Partners in Morristown, N.J., and Anderson & Lembke and Merkley Newman Harty, both in New York, remain in the review. A decision is expected this week. List of 9 Confirmed in Epson Pitch LOS ANGELES--The nine agencies in the review for Epson America's $20 million account are: Rubin Postaer and Associates, Santa Monica, Calif.; The Richards Group and The Focus Agency, both Dallas; Mezzina/Brown, New York; Dailey & Associates and DDB Needham, both Los Angeles; Seiniger Advertising, Beverly Hills, Calif.; and Lowe & Partners and Hodskins Simone & Searls, both San Francisco. Strategic presentations will take place Jan. 7-9, after which four finalists will be selected, according to Effective Marketing Strategies, the Los Angeles consultancy conducting the review. Dweck and Royal Olympic Split NEW YORK--Royal Olympic Cruises, formerly Sun Line Cruises, is conducting a review of its estimated $2 million account. The New York-based client will part ways with Dweck & Campbell in New York in January, the client said. DDB Picks Up Hefty Account CHICAGO--Tenneco Packaging in Pittsford, N.Y., has moved the $15 million account for its Hefty brand to DDB Needham, Chicago, according to sources. The business was previously with Jordan, McGrath, Case & Taylor, New York. DDB declined comment; Tenneco could not be reached. Industry Exec Predicts Good '98 NEW YORK-- Total U.S. advertising spending in 1998 is expected to reach $198.4 billion, representing a 6.2 percent gain over this year, said Robert Coen, senior vice president, director of forecasting at McCann-Erickson. Coen made his remarks during PaineWebber's Media Outlook Conference last week. Coen noted that 1997 turned out to be a stronger year than predicted, with U.S. advertising projected to total $186.8 billion, a 6.6 percent gain over 1996. Adweek Calls for Best TV Spots of the Year NEW YORK--Adweek magazine is accepting entries for the best television commercials of 1997. The winners, selected by Adweek editors, will be announced in January. TV spots that first aired in 1997 are eligible. Submit entries to: Adweek's Best Spots of the Year, 1515 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, N.Y. 10036, Attn: Nancy Sobel. The deadline is Dec. 31. For more information, call (212) 536-6453. Radio Shack Fires Lord Group NEW YORK--Radio Shack is taking its estimated $95 million account from the Lord Group here. The Fort Worth, Texas-based client, which will now handle advertising in-house, did not return calls. Other clients of the subsidiary of Dentsu Young & Rubicam Partnerships include Bell Atlantic and the Munich, Germany-based Siemens Corp. Wilmington Trust Assigns Korey Kay NEW YORK--Wilmington Trust Co. in Delaware has tapped Korey Kay & Partners in New York to handle its creative and media account. Billings are undisclosed, but sources estimate the business is worth $7 million. Barasch, Galterio & Partners in New York was the incumbent. Newswire Roundup NEW YORK--Alamo Rent A Car, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last week confirmed that its $20 million account has been awarded to Foote, Cone & Belding in New York [Adweek, Dec. 1] Media That Works, a $500 million media agency in Cincinnati, has forged an alliance with Hudson River Group in Valhalla, N.Y., called Stratalytics to provide clients with enhanced media planning services Showtime Networks, New York, has formed the Red Group, an in-house ad agency led by former Grey Entertainment executive Len Fogge Following a review, Gyro in Philadelphia has been awarded creative and media planning duties for Weehawken, N.J.-based Hamilton Watch Co.'s $10 million global ad account. Grey Advertising in Los Angeles was the incumbent ... Lee Garfinkel, chairman and chief creative officer of Lowe & Partners/SMS, has been named honorary chairman of the 1998 Andy Awards, which are sponsored by the Advertising Club of New York Sherwin-Williams Co.'s consumer brands division consolidated the estimated $12 million ad account for its newly created Stains Group with SBC Advertising in Westerville, Ohio. The shop bested Hanft, Byrne, Raboy, Abrams & Partners and Partners & Shevack, both in New York, and Wyse Advertising in Cleveland.

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