Goodby Advances in Ikea Review

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners last week was named among the finalists for Ikea’s $30-40 million account. The other surviving contenders are Berlin Cameron/Red Cell in New York and Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Miami.

The request for proposals originally went to 20 agencies. Goodby was one of several San Francisco shops to advance to the semifinals, along with Black Rocket/Euro RSCG and TBWA\Chiat\Day. Sources said TBWA\C\D is not participating because the client determined that Kmart was a conflict. Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, New York, was cut because of a potential conflict with Target. Fallon in Minneapolis was also eliminated from the review.

The incumbent, Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, parted with Ikea, based in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., in November. The shop did not participate in the review, which is being led by Pile and Co. in Boston.

The review is one of two high-profile contests in which Goodby is currently involved. It is also in the running for the $30-50 million Saturn Ion launch. Presentations for that piece of business are being held this week.

Finalists in the Ikea review will be briefed later this month, according to sources. A decision is expected in February.

Representatives from Goodby confirmed they are a finalist for Ikea but declined to elaborate.

Late last year, Goodby won the $20 million Adobe Systems account [Adweek, Nov. 12]. The shop also works with clients such as the California Milk Processor Board and E*Trade.