Internet service provider EarthLink has selected two agencies from its list of contenders from last year’s review to vie for a test project. Billings for the assignment are estimated at $2-3 million, said sources.
Ground Zero, Marina del Rey, Calif., and BBDO West’s Los Angeles office are believed to be competing for the project, said sources. The winner could land EarthLink’s entire general ad account, worth as much as $50 million, as previously reported [Adweek, Sept. 14].
Both Ground Zero and BBDO were among the contenders for the company’s account when it was in review last year. Mendelsohn/Zien, Los Angeles, won the business, but resigned it earlier this year due to culture conflicts [Adweek, Jan. 11]. Team One Advertising, El Segundo, Calif., also competed for the account.
John Lake, director of marketing at the Pasadena, Calif., company, confirmed the current search was down to two Los Angeles-area shops, but he declined to name them. The two agencies are presenting ideas this week, and a decision is expected in the next two weeks, according to sources.
Direct Partners in Santa Monica, Calif., handles EarthLink’s direct marketing, and is unaffected by the review, said Lake.
2 Chase EarthLink Test Project
