Omnicom Vows to Find Jobs for Wells Staffers; TBWA to Take Wells' Space

Chase Reviews; Heineken Has List NEW YORK-The unraveling of Wells BDDP continued last week as two of its remaining clients confirmed they will conduct agency reviews. Initial contenders emerged last week for the $30 million ad account of Heineken USA (which said it put Wells on 90 days' notice) as Chase Manhattan confirmed it was putting its entire $40 million account in play. At the same time, Omnicom Group, whose acquisition of Wells parent GGT Group is pending, averted 40 layoffs at Wells scheduled for last Thursday. Omnicom chief executive John Wren, in a memorandum dated Feb. 12 to GGT chief executive Michael Greenlees and BDDP chief Jean-Marie Dru, stated, "The employees of Wells BDDP are innocent victims of the events of the last month," an allusion to the loss of Procter & Gamble's $125 million business, among other recent, negative developments. Wren's statement also indicated that he would work with Tom Watson, vice chairman of Omnicom's Diversified Agency Services, and Wells chief executive Steve Davis to coordinate placement for all affected. Wren added, "We can discuss any assistance with individuals who have not found jobs in a month or two after we see how we are doing." Meanwhile, sources said Heineken has an initial list of 10-12 contenders and began meeting with agencies last week. The list includes New York shops McCann-Erickson, Lowe & Partners/SMS, Ogilvy & Mather, Ammirati Puris Lintas, Bates USA, J. Walter Thompson and Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG, sources said. Bates handles Heineken business overseas while JWT and Lowe were among the finalists in 1995, when Wells won the account. Steve Davis, vice president of marketing at Heineken, would not identify contenders. Sources said a short list is imminent. Sources also said there have been discussions between Heineken and contenders about taking on three Wells managing partners along with the account: Michael Silver, the top account manager on Heineken, and creative duo Richard Mahan and Steve Baer. All three declined comment. At Chase, Frederick Hill, executive vice president, corporate marketing and communications, said he was not sure whether he would choose one or multiple agencies. He cited a desire to elevate the creative work and cost efficiencies as the motivations for the review. Sources said Hill is sending out questionnaires to 20 shops. Both Wells and McCann, Chase's other shop, will be invited to participate. Sources said McCann, which handles the national consumer account, will defend. Wells is undecided as to whether it will defend its corporate and wholesale banking portions of the business, sources said. In a related development, Wells reported 60 resignations in the aftermath of the P&G loss. Fifteen of those staffers will join Saatchi & Saatchi here to work on the $75 million Oil of Olay account, formerly at Wells, starting tomorrow. Grey Advertising has also absorbed many Wells staffers after it picked up Wells' $50 million Pringles account. Sources also said Omnicom plans to have TBWA Chiat/Day here move into Wells' lower Madison Avenue offices after the GGT deal closes. Wren declined comment. TBWA Chiat/Day, based in lower Manhattan, declined comment. In another blow to Wells, Tag Heuer last week said it would move its estimated $8 million U.S. ad account from Wells to Saatchi here. That leaves Wells with just a handful of clients, including Hertz and Toys R Us. It has been widely speculated that the latter would move to the Kaplan Thaler Group. Principal Linda Kaplan's noncompete agreement with former employer Wells expires in July, sources said. -with Rob Lenihan and Andrew McMains

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Omnicom Vows to Find Jobs for Wells Staffers; TBWA to Take Wells' Space

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