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2 N.Y. Shops Among Travelers' Contenders NEW YORK-Merkley Newman Harty and McCann-Erickson, both based here, are among the agencies competing for the Travelers Group's estimated $15 million corporate and insurance advertising accounts, which include media planning and buying as well as creative duties, sources said. It was unclear at press time whether incumbent MacNamara Stewart Saperstein here is participating in the review. Walter Spiro, 74, Agency Chairman, Dies NEW YORK-Walter A. Spiro, chairman of Earle Palmer Brown in Philadelphia, died at home on Tuesday at the age of 74. A Holocaust survivor, Spiro served on the board of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and was instrumental in raising funds for its construction. He is survived by his wife, four children, two stepchildren, five grandchildren and a brother. Services will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 320 Arch St. in Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Publicis Taps AT&T Executive to Head SNET NEW YORK-Publicis/Bloom here has hired Donna Abate, a former AT&T marketing executive, to oversee its estimated $20 million Southern New England Telecommunications account. She joins the shop as a senior principal management supervisor. Abate will help SNET reposition itself as a "full-service communications company" that offers long-distance, cellular, Internet and entertainment services, she said. Kaiser Permanente Launches Agency Search LOS ANGELES-Healthcare company Kaiser Permanente has begun its first search for a shop to handle its 1998 national advertising and direct response campaigns. Billings are expected to exceed $30 million. Advertising for the Oakland, Calif.-based client is done on a regional basis. Kovel Kresser & Partners in Santa Monica, Calif., has the business in California and other markets. Western International Media in Los Angeles handles much of the media chores. The search is being conducted by Richard Roth Associates, a consultancy in Chappaqua, N.Y. Universal Evaluates Media Consolidation LOS ANGELES-Dave Park, president of DDB Needham, Los Angeles, declined comment on reports that client Universal Studios has met with agencies about its $160 million media business. Universal executives did not return calls. Sources said the client has met with shops including TN Media, New York, and Focus Media, Santa Monica, Calif., about consolidating film, home video and theme park media, a move that has been rumored to be under consideration for more than a year [Adweek, July 22, 1996]. Currently, media is distributed between DDB Needham, Los Angeles and New York, and Focus Media. Perrier Changes Brand Assignments NEW YORK-The Perrier Group, based in Greenwich, Conn., awarded New York's McCann-Erickson three additional brands that were formerly with The Lord Group: Poland Spring, Zephyrhills and Ozarka. McCann already has the Arrowhead and Deer Park accounts and will add media planning to its existing buying responsibilities. The Calistoga brand moves from Publicis/Bloom in New York to San Francisco-based Citron Haligman Bedecarrƒ. Publicis/Bloom will retain four brands. The Lord Group, which served the Perrier Group for seven years, will no longer be among the client's roster of agencies. The changes take effect Dec. 1. BPI Buys Clio Awards NEW YORK-BPI Communications has agreed to purchase the Clio Awards from owners Jim and Ellen Smyth, currently chief executive and president, respectively, of the awards. Founded in 1959, the Clio Awards will be based in New York. BPI, a subsidiary of VNU-USA, publishes 23 magazines, including Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter. Honda Breaks Accord Campaign LOS ANGELES- American Honda Motor Co. is set to unveil ads this week for its retooled 1998 Accord model. The ads, part of an estimated $100 million ad and marketing push by the Japanese automaker, introduce a new tagline, "An Accord like no other." Rubin Postaer and Associates, Santa Monica, Calif., created the ads. Newswire Roundup Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG, New York, has been hired to create an integrated marketing campaign for Israel Experience, a new venture whose mission is to encourage North American Jewish youth to participate in educational experiences in Israel . . . Michael Vale, the 73-year-old actor who has played Dunkin' Donuts pitchman Fred the Baker for 15 years, retired last week, as expected Foote, Cone & Belding elevated Jonathan Harries to executive creative director of its Chicago office. He had been deputy to Geoff Thompson, who now will concentrate solely on his role as worldwide creative director of FCB Avrett, Free & Ginsberg, New York, has won the estimated $2 million account for Curve fragrance from Liz Claiborne, formerly handled in-house Lotas Minard Patton McIver, New York, has been named agency of record for the Waverly line of fabrics, wall coverings and home furnishings of F. Schumacher, New York. Tarlow Advertising, New York, was the incumbent on the $2 million account Mullen, Wenham, Mass., was awarded the creative portion of the estimated $2-3 million Swiss Army Brands advertising account, besting Lyons Marketing Communications in Wilmington, Del., and Mad Dogs & Englishmen in New York Gianettino & Meredith Advertising, Short Hills, N.J., has won the creative, media planning and media buying duties for Neet, a hair-removal brand, owned by Premier Consumer Products, Englewood, N.J.

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