HGTV Contacts Southeast Shops

Home & Garden Television has issued requests for proposals to some two dozen agencies for its $10-12 million account.

Among those contacted in the Southeast: eight-year incumbent Lewis Communications, Birmingham, Ala.; Interpublic Group’s Fitzgerald + Co. and WPP’s J. Walter Thompson, both Atlan-ta; IPG’s The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va.; and independent shops The Buntin Group, Nashville, Tenn., and Trone Advertising in Greensboro, N.C.

Omnicom’s BBDO office in Atlanta has also been invited to participate, sources said. Search consultancy AAR Group of New York is overseeing the process.

The cable TV network, owned by W.E.