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MDC Near Deal for Colle & McVoy CHICAGO--MDC Communications in Toronto is finalizing a purchase of Minneapolis-based Colle & McVoy, sources said. The deal would be MDC's second U.S. agency purchase in the last nine months; it acquired New York-based Margeotes/Fertitta + Partners last August. Officials at Colle & McVoy would neither confirm nor deny any talks. "We and MDC have been actively negotiating with several agencies in the U.S. with total billings in excess of $500 million," said Margeotes CEO George Fertitta, who added that a deal could come shortly. Colle & McVoy bills roughly $130 million; its clients include Caterpillar and Winnebago Industries. Bates Tweaks Avis' 'We Try Harder' Theme NEW YORK--Bates USA in New York breaks a $20 million TV campaign today for Avis Rent A Car with the theme, "We try harder. For you," a variation of its long-running tagline. The effort aims to demonstrate that Avis' investment in technology will deliver a more personalized rental experience. The spots tout two offerings--"roving rapid return" and "preferred service." Ads use a quick-cut approach that mixes images of satellite dishes and solar panels with Avis employees at work. New York Life Kicks Off a Review NEW YORK--New York Life has called a review on its $30 million account, which has been at TBWA/Chiat/Day here since 1987. Creative and media duties for the insurer are both in play. The incumbent, whose ads carry the theme "The company you keep," will defend. New York consultancy Geduldig & Ferguson has been retained to handle the pitch and has drawn up a list of 25 shops. Senior vice president of corporate communications Elizabeth Krupnick, who arrived at the client last fall, is conducting the review. APL Names Top Suit on GMC Account NEW YORK--Ammirati Puris Lintas, New York, named Nancy Schulman managing director, overseeing the $200 million account of General Motors' GMC unit. She arrives later this month from Ketchum Advertising, San Francisco, where she was senior vice president, group account director on Pacific Bell and Bank of America. Schulman assumes GMC duties from Howard Lesman, who will leave in June. Lesman's duties on GM's troubled OnStar business, as well as Four Seasons hotels, have not been reassigned. APL also said it will soon name two group creative directors on GMC [Adweek, Jan. 18]. Account Activity Software maker Siebel Systems, San Mateo, Calif., is in the early stages of a review for its $20-30 million global account, sources said MobileComm in Fort Lee, N.J., confirmed it has assembled 13 contenders for its $6-10 million account Sauza tequilas' $12-15 million creative review [see page 12] has been narrowed to three shops: Weiss Stagliano Partners, Bates USA and Select Communications, all New York.

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