Sunbeam Goes Dark At O&M

Sunbeam Corp. said it had not set any plan to seek a new advertising agency after announcing last week that it will not continue its relationship with Ogilvy & Mather when the agency’s contract expires Dec. 31.
O&M had been Sunbeam’s agency of record since 1996. Its most recent advertising for the company’s flagship lines was tagged, “Sunbeam. Now there’s a bright idea.”
In a statement, Tom Hall, O&M Chicago’s chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We understand their desire to go in a new direction and wish them great success in the future.”
Though officially the agency cited “philosophical differences” for the split, sources said management shifts at the client and a lower priority on advertising were the key factors.
Earlier this year, Sunbeam acquired in-home safety marketer First Alert; Signature Brands USA, maker of Mr.