Droga5 New York is saying “no comment” on the matter (which usually translates into anything but “no” at this point), but sources on the Spy line tell us that agency has joined the pitch for TripAdvisor, the 14-year-old travel directory/review/booking brand that launched yet another creative agency search at the beginning of this month. According to earlier reports, TA launched the review after partnering for less than a year on offline creative work with The Fantastical, a Boston-based shop formed by a a pair of Mullen alums. Along with Fantastical, TripAdvisor has also worked with Hill Holliday and Weber Shandwick on media and PR efforts, respectively, though it appears that neither agency is affected by this latest review. From what Adweek initially reported, other agencies allegedly in the TA review mix include Goodby and Leo Burnett NY. We’re checking with all and will keep you posted.
While we’re on the Droga5 tip, we’ve received from clarification from those in the know that unlike what we’ve been hearing today, there have been no formal layoffs in the NY office, just a few reductions that were performance-related.