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Trahan, Madison Emerge in Bermuda Pitch
ATLANTA–Two more agencies have joined the crowded field of shops pursuing the Bermuda Department of Tourism’s $12 million ad account. The incumbent, New York’s DDB Needham Worldwide, was invited, but is not participating. Sources said Trahan, Burden & Charles in Baltimore and T.G. Madison in Atlanta were on the list of shops invited to submit credentials, a roll call that included nearly 20 agencies. Others known to be on that list are Eisner & Associates in Baltimore; McKinney & Silver in Raleigh, N.C.; Arnold Communications and Trinity Communication, both in Boston; and New York’s Holiday/Altschiller. Responses are due Jan. 20. Because the client wants new advertising by late March, finalists are expected to be named quickly.
Bedford at Helm of Bank One Search
ATLANTA–Bank One Corp., working with The Bedford Group here, is looking at an undisclosed list of shops for its $60 million account. Its business had been with The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va., for 10 years, but the two parties agreed to part company. The Columbus, Ohio-based financial services company acquired First Chicago NBD last year, which is the impetus for the review. Client officials did not return calls last week. Martin passed on defending the business, preferring to pursue the Discover Card account (see next item).
Martin Makes Cut in Discover Card Review
CHICAGO–Discover Card narrowed contenders for its $70 million business to six, including incumbent DDB Needham Chicago. Competing for the Riverwoods, Ill., division of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter & Co., are Leo Burnett, Chicago; Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco; Lowe & Partners/SMS, New York; The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va.; and TBWA/Chiat/Day, Playa del Rey, Calif. A decision is expected at the end of March.
Godiva, Hill-Rom Check Into Cadmus Empire
ATLANTA–Cadmus Direct in Charlotte, N.C., a division of CadmusCom in Richmond, Va., has been named relationship marketing agency for Godiva Chocolatier of New York. The confectioner’s marketing manager, Andrew Mitchell, called the deal “a $1 million investment.” Cadmus will help develop database marketing and communications strategies. Godiva’s lead agency remains Margeotes/Fertitta + Partners of New York. Separately, CadmusCom was hired by Hill-Rom, a unit of Hillenbrand Industries. The agency will develop advertising and marketing for Hill-Rom’s long-term and acute care medical systems, which are based in Charleston, S.C. Billings were not disclosed.
First Maryland Banks Business at Gray, Kirk
ATLANTA–Gray, Kirk Vansant has been named lead agency for First Maryland Bancorp. The Baltimore shop will provide advertising and marketing services as it undertakes a new corporate identity effort in 1999. Gray, Kirk has completed a number of projects for First Maryland over the past year,