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FCB Eyes McElroy Communications LOS ANGELES--Foote, Cone & Belding is in talks to buy McElroy Communications, sources said. The Newport Beach, Calif., agency works with Vans, Pacific Sunwear and Titus Interactive, among other clients. FCB has a 25-person, $200 million office in Santa Ana, Calif. An executive at McElroy declined comment as did officials at FCB's New York headquarters. Avis Narrows Field to 6 NEW YORK--The field of contenders for Avis Rent A Car System's $30 million creative account has been narrowed to six New York shops: Ammirati Puris Lintas, Deutsch, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, Lowe & Partners/SMS, McCann-Erickson and Publicis. The client will visit contenders and then cut the list to three or four finalists. Incumbent Bates USA here resigned the account last month. Media duties at Grey Advertising here are not included in the review, which is being managed by Boston consultant Pile & Co. Maxim Magazine Talks to Shops NEW YORK--Felix Dennis, chairman of London-based Dennis Publications, which publishes "laddy" magazine Maxim was in town last week "sitting in" on interviews with shops for what sources describe as a new consumer marketing campaign. Maxim's previous agency was TBWA/Chiat/Day in New York, but the account went in-house last year. A representative said the magazine is "entertaining ideas to hire an agency." Sprint's New ION Account to D'Arcy NEW YORK--Sprint has awarded its new Sprint ION account, with billings for 1999 estimated at just under $10 million, to D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles. The client plans to launch the integrated on-demand network by year's end in three test markets: Denver, Kansas City, Mo., and Seattle. The ad budget is expected to grow to $25 million in 2000, sources said. The client said its roster shops--McCann-Erickson, Publicis & Hal Riney, and Grey-- are unaffected by the D'Arcy win. Bates Picks Up Whitney Museum NEW YORK--The Whitney Museum of American Art has named Bates USA its lead agency. Its initial assignment is to launch Part II of the museum's exhibition, "The American Century: Art & Culture 1900-2000." Billings were undisclosed. The Whitney's previous shop, TBWA/Chiat/Day in New York, handled advertising for Part I, which covered the American century up to 1950. "We felt that we needed a different look for Part II," said a Whitney representative. "It's more modern, and in order to get that look, we needed to hire another agency." Arnold Wins Competition for EMC Corp. BOSTON--Arnold Communications here has won the $10-15 million ad account of EMC Corp., a data storage firm, following a review in which Bozell Worldwide and Doremus, both New York, were finalists. Think New Ideas, Los Angeles, also reached the final round but withdrew from the competition two weeks ago. EMC in April had dismissed seven-year incumbent Mullen, Wenham, Mass., and launched a review through Pile and Co. Envi Review on Hold DALLAS--The review for IQ Product's Envi line of personal care products (a $10 million account) has been put on hold for several months as the Houston-based company finalizes the acquisition of another company in the same field, said chairman Yohanne Gupta. The client split with Houston-based Bates Southwest in March. Separately, a review continues for IQ's automotive product line, with a decision expected in about 30 days. Cnet Backs New Ad Initiative With $100 Mil. SAN FRANCISCO--Cnet has expanded the ad budget for its first consumer campaign to $100 million, immediately boosting the billings of its new agency, Citron Haligman Bedecarrƒ Euro RSCG here. Citron breaks spot TV ads this week for the client. The new tag is, "The source for computers and technology." Earlier this year, sources indicated spending would be in the $20-40 million range. DDB Gets Flowers CHICAGO--DDB Worldwide here was awarded FTD's $40 million account over finalists Cramer-Krasselt and Ammirati Puris Lintas, both in Chicago. The assignment includes media and creative, and covers FTD's corporate account and its spin-off Internet division, FTD.com. Incumbent Doner, Southfield, Mich., was not involved. Newswire Roundup The former chief executive of Euro RSCG Tatham in Chicago, Mary Baglivo, 41, is joining the New York office of J. Walter Thompson as chief marketing officer, USA. Baglivio, who previously worked with JWT chairman Charlotte Beers at Tatham, starts Sept. 1 Tommy Hilfiger is in talks with singers Jewel and Lenny Kravitz to appear in sportswear ads that would be handled by Arnell Group Brand Consulting, New York, the client confirmed Rapp Collins Worldwide in New York has been tapped to create direct response TV ads and direct mail for Juno Online Services, a new account billing $10 million Beer importer The Gambrinus Co. is holding a review for its national promotional account one year after consolidating its promotions with The Promotions Network in Dallas. Gambrinus, San Antonio, director of marketing Ron Cristesson declined to characterize the process as a review, but confirmed that "we're looking to expand our promotions and are taking a look at the year 2000." For the Record Print ads for TAG Heuer's Alter Ego watches were produced by Bartle Bogle Hegarty in London. Rosie Arnold served as group head and creative director. TAG Heuer's U.S. agency, Saatchi & Saatchi in New York, adapted the ads for use in the United States and handled media planning and buying [Adweek, June 28].

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