$150 Mil.+ Progressive Issues RFPs

NEW YORK Progressive Direct has distributed requests for proposals to some nine agencies as it reviews creative duties on its estimated $150-200 million account, sources said.

Sources identified the recipients as Omnicom Group shops GSD&M in Austin, Texas, and TBWA\Chiat\Day in New York; Interpublic Group agencies Mullen in Wenham, Mass., Deutsch in New York and McCann Erickson in New York; WPP Group’s JWT in New York; Havas’ Euro RSCG in New York and McKinney in Raleigh, N.C.; and Bartle Bogle Hegarty in New York, which is 49 percent owned by Publicis Groupe.

RFPs are due back on June 12. Based on submissions, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based client is expected to narrow the field to about six shops, which will be visited. Final presentations are slated for September.

The incumbent, independent Doner in Southfield, Mich., split with the insurance provider and is not defending.

New York consultancy Roth Associates is managing the search. Roth did not return calls, and the agencies either declined comment or could not be reached.