Hotline

Alberto-Culver Wants Third Agency
CHICAGO–Personal care products marketer Alberto-Culver is looking outside its two roster agencies — Partners & Shevack in New York and Chicago’s Lois/EJL –for its unassigned, $15-20 million St. Ives brand account, according to company representative John Boone. He said recently appointed president Terry Stecz, formerly at Madison, N.J.-based American Home Products Corp., is spurring the search for a third agency, and that AHP roster shops may be among those considered. A-C spent $6 million on St. Ives last year, according to Competitive Media Reporting.

Chrysler Launching Infomercial
DETROIT–A 30-minute infomercial for Chrysler Corp.’s three all-new sedans–the Chrysler 300M, LHS and Concorde–will begin airing July 15 on national cable networks and United Airlines Sky TV. The program was created by Bozell Worldwide, Southfield, Mich., national agency for the Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep division, in conjunction with Ross Roy Communications, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., which handles Chrysler’s collateral work. Omnicom’s Pentacom unit in Troy, Mich., handles all media buying.

Budget Picks Publicis & Hal Riney
CHICAGO–Publicis & Hal Riney here last week was awarded Budget Rent A Car’s estimated $50 million account, besting Chicago agencies Grant/Jacoby and Cramer-Krasselt. Budget, based in Lisle, Ill., is mulling where to place media buying, although Riney is the leading candidate. Incumbent Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Boston, did not participate.

CME Breaks New PUR Campaign
CHICAGO–Campbell Mithun Esty in Minneapolis today breaks a new campaign, including its first network TV spot, for Recovery Engineering’s PUR Plus water filtration pitcher. The Minneapolis company’s 30-second spot will air on network prime, morning and evening news programs. The spot is tagged, “Get more out of your water; get new PUR Plus.”

Haworth Assigned Select Comfort Media
CHICAGO–Haworth Marketing and Media in Minneapolis was assigned retail media buying and planning duties for Select Comfort Mattress. The account is worth $15 million, sources said. Nelson Henry in Minneapolis handles retail creative duties.

Boston Beer Names 3 Finalists
BOSTON–Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos and Arnold Communications, both in Boston, and McCann-Erickson in New York advanced to the final round in the review for Boston Beer Co.’s $10-12 million account. The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va., and Gotham in New York withdrew from consideration. Holland Mark Martin Edmund in Boston and Margeotes/Fertitta + Partners in New York were cut. Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, is the incumbent.