Hotline

OAKWOOD SELECTS DMB&B IN REVIEW
DETROIT-Oakwood Healthcare System in Dearborn, Mich., named D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, Troy, Mich., as its agency of record late last week (see page 5). The other finalist for the $3 million account was BBDO, Southfield, Mich., according to sources.
AMMIRATI BREAKING FIRST WORK FOR AMERITECH
CHICAGO-The first work for Ameritech from Ammirati Puris Lintas in New York breaks this week. APL won the Midwest telecommunications company’s $100 million consolidated consumer, business and branding account in July, following a review. Sources said “At your service” may be the tagline, replacing Ameritech’s long-running “Your link to better communications.”
DAEWOO TO HEAR NATIONAL ACCOUNT PITCHES
ATLANTA-The four regional agencies of Daewoo Motor America will meet this week at the client’s Atlanta office to make their pitches for the Korean automaker’s national branding assignment, according to sources. Ground Zero, Santa Monica, Calif.; Korey Kay & Partners, New York; Leap Partnership, Chicago; and Tausche Martin Lonsdorf, Atlanta, are scheduled to present. The national branding work is separate from the regional accounts that the four shops secured earlier this year.
SEVEN SHOPS MAKE CONTENDER LIST FOR DSI TOYS
DALLAS-Seven shops have emerged as contenders for the $10 million account of Houston-based DSI Toys. Sources last week said those likely to pitch the Houston toy maker’s creative and media business are incumbent Sive/Young & Rubicam, Cincinnati; McCann-Erickson, Houston; Bozell Worldwide and D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, both New York; and W.B. Doner & Co.’s Cleveland office. DSI executives have also asked Carat MBS, New York, to pitch media only, sources said. Another undisclosed shop is believed to be pitching only the creative portion. Charlotte Warren, principal of the Warren Agency in Austin, Texas, who is assisting with the review, declined to confirm contenders last week.
CRAMER-KRASSELT BRINGS AIRTRAN TO TV
CHICAGO-A TV spot for Atlanta-based AirTran Airlines, formerly ValuJet, will break this week regionally via the airline’s new agency, Cramer-Krasselt here. The TV ads follow print work that broke late last month in regional editions of national newspapers. The tagline for the campaign is, “It’s something else.” C-K won the account in July.
NEEDHAM CREATIVES LEAVE TO FORM SHOP
CHICAGO-Two creative directors at DDB Needham Chicago-senior vice president Dave Merhar and vice president Mike Oberman-have left to open their own Chicago agency, Fusion. Merhar created the “I love you, man” campaign for Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light.