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Omnicom Reports Strong First-Half Results NEW YORK--Omnicom Group reported its net income for the second quarter ending June 30 rose 30 percent to $86 million. Net income for the first half of the year rose 29 percent to $137 million. The results from the parent company of BBDO, DDB Needham, TBWA Chiat/Day and other agencies exceeded analysts' expectations and caused a run-up in Omnicom's stock price. TBWA Chiat/Day Takes Two NEW YORK--TBWA Chiat/Day's Venice, Calif., office beat Lowe & Partners/SMS and Ogilvy & Mather, both New York, to win the review for Kinko's $40 million global account. The agency's New York office also defeated Deutsch, New York, for Barnes & Noble's estimated $35 million account. VSM Media here continues to plan and buy media for B&N. 5 Nominated for Commercial Emmy NEW YORK--Young & Rubicam here claimed two of the five nominations for Outstanding Commercial in the 50th Annual Emmy Awards--for Pella Windows' "The Elopement" and AT&T's "Freshman." Also nominated: TBWA Chiat/Day, Venice, Calif., for Apple's "Think Different"; Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, for Hallmark's "Working Mother"; and Ogilvy & Mather, here, for American Express' "Virtual Reality." Winner will be announced during the ceremony in September. Hamlin Leaves Fleet for Arnold BOSTON--Pam Hamlin, executive vice president and group account director at Arnold Communications here, will take over the $40 million Fleet Financial Group business from Denise Johnson, who is expected to leave the agency. The relationship between Arnold and Fleet has been shaky and the appointment of Hamlin, who was specifically requested for the post by Fleet executives, is seen as a move of appeasement. Arnold officials said Johnson resigned to pursue outside job opportunities and was not taken off the account or asked to leave by the client. Johnson did not return calls. ConAgra Snaps Up Nabisco Brands NEW YORK--ConAgra in Omaha, Neb., will acquire the Parkay, Fleischmann's and Blue Bonnet table spread brands and Egg Beaters egg substitute brand from Nabisco, subject to regulatory approval. Foote, Cone & Belding in New York handles the brands moving to ConAgra, whose principal agencies are Campbell Mithun Esty in Minneapolis and Grey Advertising in New York. Level 3 Finalizes Agency Selection DALLAS--Level 3 Communications finalized the appointment of DDB Needham Dallas as its agency of record last week, as expected [Adweek, June 8]. DDB has begun work on advertising and Internet assignments for the Louisville, Colo.-based telecommunications and information services company. Billings are expected to exceed $30 million. Trex Names Contenders in $3-5 Mil. Review BOSTON--Trex Co., Winchester, Va., last week named six contenders in its $3-5 million review, being handled by Pile & Co., Boston. Pitching are HBRA & Partners in New York; Mullen in Wenham, Mass.; Richards Group, Dallas; Campbell-Ewald, Warren, Mich.; as well as Campbell Mithun Esty and Carmichael Lynch, both in Minneapolis. Finalists will be named in a few weeks. A decision is expected by the first week in September. Newswire Roundup Gearon Hoffman, Boston, was tapped by Apple & Eve, Roslyn, N.Y., to handle the juice marketer's estimated $2-3 million account. There was no incumbent. Avrett, Free & Ginsberg, New York, was runner-up Gibson Musical Instruments in Nashville, Tenn., has said it is talking to agencies about handling collateral assignments and possible brand building advertising. The client works on a project basis with Gyro Advertising, Philadelphia; Lightstream, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Red Sky Interactive in San Francisco, but wants to expand its roster. Gibson's ad budget is about $2 million Madison Square Garden has selected Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners in New York to handle creative and media for its two regional sports networks: Madison Square Garden Network and Fox Sports New York. Billings were estimated at $3-5 million but could grow to $8 million, sources said Minolta is expected to pick an agency this week to handle its estimated $20 million brand image account. Last week, the client heard final presentations from remaining contenders Hill, Holliday/Altschiller and TBWA Chiat /Day, both New York Pepsi-Cola Co. has awarded BBDO Asia Pacific creative duties for Pepsi and Mountain Dew, as well as media duties for its Mirinda and 7Up brands, previously handled by Ogilvy & Mather, following a review that included J. Walter Thompson. Billings are estimated at $40 million Harpell/Martins & Co. in Maynard, Mass., has won an assignment from Best Software in Reston, Va. Annual billings are in excess of $5 million Houston consultant and former Ogilvy & Mather executive Ann Iverson has been hired to lead the BBDO office in Houston. As executive vice president and managing director, she becomes the second-highest agency official overseeing BBDO's global Texaco account Everfresh/LaCroix Beverages here is considering three agencies for its currently unassigned, estimated $5 million account. Arian, Lowe & Travis, Fairman, Schmidt & Capelli and Rodi Platcow Malin, all Chicago, will make presentations next week TBWA Chiat/Day's Venice, Calif., office has been cut from the review for AirTouch Cellular's $100 million media buying account, said sources.

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