Hotline

Aetna Confirms Choice of Grey

ATLANTA—Grey successfully negotiated the last hurdle to win the creative portion of Aetna’s $40 million account. The New York agency defeated co-finalistMcKinney & Silver of Raleigh, N.C., earlier this month [Adweek, April 23], but had to make a final presentation before the Hartford, Conn.-based insurance company’s incoming chief executive officer, Dr. Jack Rowe. McKinney had shared project work for the client with Waylon Ad in St. Louis.

McCool Gets Buffalo’s Cafe Assignment

ATLANTA—Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts has tapped McCool Communications to rebrand its Buffalo’s Cafe restaurants. McCool won the business after a review that included two other undisclosed Atlanta agencies. The campaign includes new advertising that will break this month, as well as collateral materials. Buffalo’s Cafe operates approximately 50 restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio and the Carolinas.

Zyman Launches E-Marketing Courses

ATLANTA—The Zyman Marketing Group, headed by former Coca-Cola Co. chief marketing officer Sergio Zyman, has launched Zlearning, a suite of interactive marketing courses available via the Internet. The lessons, with titles like “Positioning Your Brand to Sell More,” target marketing professionals and nonprofessionals alike. JPMorgan Partners has made an $8 million equity investment in Zyman’s operation.

Mullen Introduces TV Campaign for Agere

BOSTON—Mullen this week unveils its first national campaign for Agere Systems. Tagged “How communications happens,” television ads for the Allentown, Pa.-based microelectronics spin-off of Lucent Technologies show words spinning across the screen. Spending is estimated at $20-25 million. The Wenham, Mass., agency acquired the account late last year.

FCB Touts Taco Bell’s Supersize Burrito

SAN FRANCISCO—Taco Bell, which is better known for its tacos and nachos than its larger meal items, is changing its approach with the launch of a mammoth burrito. A new television campaign from FCB in San Francisco breaks this week featuring Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Elsa Benitez touting the fast-food chain’s new “Grilled Stuft Burrito.” Spending on the effort was not disclosed, but the client’s advertising expenditures amount to roughly $200 million annually. The commercial, which begins airing nationally this week, will appear during the season finales of network programs such as Friends and Survivor. FCB won the Taco Bell account last summer from TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif.

Highway One to Steer Seniors Online

SAN FRANCISCO—Ending a recent new business drought, Highway One has landed the advertising account of SeniorSurfers. The San Francisco agency added the client, which helps seniors use computers and the Web, last week. Highway One would not reveal if it won a review nor disclose annual billings.