ATLANTA Peabody Hotels began a search on Tuesday to find a new agency to handle creative and media buying duties for its three properties in the Southeast, the company said.
The incumbent, Turkel, will not defend. The independent Miami-based shop has held the account for 16 years.
The budget was not disclosed, but Peabody spent $350,000 on advertising last year and $250,000 through the first six months of this year, according to Nielsen Monitor-Plus.
The client posted a request for proposals on its Web site, peabodyorlando.com. Agencies must return the RFP by Sept. 27.
Per the RFP, the client will invite an undisclosed number of the shops to present work Oct. 10-11 at its offices in Orlando, Fla. It plans to name finalists Oct. 12, and visit those shops during the week of Oct. 17.
Final presentations are scheduled for Oct. 24, with the winner being named shortly thereafter.
Agencies must have an office in the Southeast, employ more than 10 people and have annual billings of at least $5 million, according to the RFP.
The client has asked for examples of creative that have run in magazines and newspapers, in addition to outdoor, direct mail and Internet work.
The assignment includes national branding for Peabody's hotels in Orlando, Memphis, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark., as well as local efforts for each property.
Peabody is headquartered in Memphis.