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Philips Kicks Off $70 Mil. Branding ReviewNEW YORK—Philips Electronics has launched a $70 million global corporate branding review in a bid to increase the company's profile. The Dutch electronics marketer has approached roster agencies DDB and D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, as well as non-roster shop Bartle Bogle Hegarty, about the new assignment, sources said. The incumbents split Philips' total $600 million ad budget. General Mills Moves $40-60 Mil. in Billings to SaatchiNEW YORK—General Mills has shifted seven brands in as many regions outside the U.S. from Leo Burnett to Saatchi & Saatchi. Total billings are estimated at $40-60 million. The brands are Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Betty Crocker, Latina, Frescarini and La Saltena, and the regions are Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. There was no review. The shifts take effect in November. Calif. Lottery Selects FCB for 5-Year, $125 Mil. BizLOS ANGELES—The California State Lottery has named Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco as the successful bidder for its five-year, $125 million ad account, a lottery representative said. FCB pitched with Initiative Media North America in Los Angeles, which will handle media buying. Finalists also included the incumbent, Grey in Los Angeles, as well as Los Angeles shops DDB and McCann-Erickson.Novell, Terra Lycos Mull Agency OptionsBOSTON—Novell has heard presentations from the four contenders pitching its $30 million U.S. account, sources said. Finalists are Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Boston; Mullen, Wenham, Mass.; J. Walter Thompson, New York; and the team of Young & Rubicam, New York, and incumbent SicolaMartin, Austin, Texas, sources said. Separately, executives from Barcelona, Spain-based Terra Lycos continue to mull roster shops Ogilvy & Mather, New York, and Hill, Holliday. Both presented more than a week ago for the $20 million Lycos Internet portal account, sources said. Hill, Holliday handles Lycos; Ogilvy works on the Terra brand. Novell and Terra Lycos declined comment.DDB N.Y. Hires Langdon NEW YORK—Laura Langdon, most recently a creative services director at TBWA\Chiat\Day in New York, has left to return to sister Omnicom shop DDB New York as chief operating officer, effective Aug. 1. Prior to joining TBWA\C\D, Langdon spent five years at DDB New York as director of print services. In her new post, Langdon, 40, will be reunited with TBWA\C\D alums Bob Kuperman, DDB New York's chairman and CEO, to whom she reports, and John Staffen, executive creative director. Miller Prepares for Roster-Shop ShootoutCHICAGO—Miller Brewing will hear creative pitches from roster shops J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy & Mather for its Miller Genuine Draft brand later this month, sources said. Ogilvy in New York, which handles Miller Lite, was called in after JWT Chicago's latest effort for MGD, "Pure MGD," was deemed lacking strategically, a client representative said. Spending on MGD is about $50 million. Shops Await Northwest Airlines RFPNEW YORK—A brand consultant to Northwest Airlines is believed to be preparing an RFP for a review of the carrier's account, sources said. The airline spent $30 million on ads last year, per CMR. Monica Woo, who has been consulting for Northwest for several months, has participated in client meetings with the incumbent, Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, said sources. Woo contacted other agencies several weeks ago about an RFP for an unnamed airline, said sources. As of last week, however, she still had not issued the RFP. CL handles domestic duties, while Ogilvy & Mather handles the brand outside the U.S. "There is currently no agency review or RFP under way," said an airline representative. Both agencies have denied any knowledge of a review. Woo could not be reached. BC/BS Set to Hear PresentationsCHICAGO—Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota will hear pitches this week from agencies vying for its 10-year, $80-110 million anti-smoking account, according to a client representative. Contending are Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami and Minneapolis agencies BBDO and Carmichael Lynch. CL handles the client's main ad account. Consultant Jan Apple, Minnetonka, Minn., is handling the search. Havas Records a Slow First HalfBOSTON—Paris holding company Havas last week reported its revenue and billings for the first half of 2002 each dropped about 3 percent to approximately $1 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively, compared with the same period a year ago. Havas' second-quarter revenue fell more than 5 percent to about $567 million, compared with the same period in 2001. Due to French reporting practices, Havas will not report net income until September. Newswire RoundupThe Acme Idea Co. in Norwalk, Conn., landed lead creative duties in North America for Duracell, the client said. The estimated $40 million business moved from BBDO New York, following a review of undisclosed agencies. Sources said BBDO and roster shops McCann-Erickson and Ogilvy & Mather also pitched. OMD will continue to handle media duties, and BBDO will still handle other support services for Duracell. … General Motors is seeking an Asian American agency to replace Innovasia Communications, the automaker said. Innovasia, Los Angeles, was acquired by GlobalHue and will be working on Chrysler's multicultural efforts. … J. Walter Thompson in Detroit is looking for an ecd to fill Bruce Rooke's post. Rooke, who oversees creative on Ford Motor Co., is taking a job with Gerbig, Snell/Weisheimer & Associates in Columbus, Ohio.

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