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Bates Worldwide to Acquire Donino, White ATLANTA--Donino, White & Partners is in the final stages of being acquired by Bates Worldwide, according to sources. The Atlanta agency has grown from about $60 million to nearly $200 million in billings in the past 18 months, through clients like Interland, BrightLane.com, MaxRate.com and 1globalcity.com. A spokesperson for the agency had no comment. Representatives for Bates in New York did not return calls late Friday. BaylessCronin Feathers Nest With Church's NEW YORK--Church's Chicken has tapped BaylessCronin to assist on its $15 million account, currently handled by Cliff Freeman and Partners. Client chief marketing officer Brad Haley confirmed the hire and said the Atlanta shop will tweak existing ads with special offers. "It made sense to go with a local agency to manage the [special offers] approach," Haley said. Church's and parent AFC Enterprises are based in Atlanta. Cliff Freeman won the account in August after a review that included BaylessCronin. The New York shop and the client confirmed fielding numerous complaints about TV spots being too risquƒ. Doe-Anderson Pitches Morton's Steakhouses CHICAGO--Morton's Restaurant Group is considering three shops for its $3-5 million account, sources said. Contenders are Doe-Anderson Advertising and Public Relations, Louisville, Ky.; Kerker Marketing Communications, Minneapolis; and Laughlin/Constable, Milwaukee. A representative of the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based steakhouse chain could not be reached. The last known incumbent was Elias Savion Advertising, Pittsburgh. Blimpie Picks iD8 for Georgia, Florida Co-ops ATLANTA--Blimpie Subs & Salads Restaurants has awarded its Georgia and North Florida co-op business to iD8. The Atlanta shop is one of 20 regional agencies that have been chosen from a list of 40. A spokesperson for the Atlanta-based sandwich chain confirmed iD8's win, but would not disclose other winners "until all the contracts have been signed." The representative said the cumulative co-op budget is $8-10 million. Gugel Closes in Dallas, Files for Bankruptcy DALLAS--Gugel Advertising has closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Dallas media planning and buying service here most recently reported $40 million in billings and a staff of 30. A former employee said the loss of major clients, including CiCi's Pizza, led to the shop to cease operations. Jefferson-Pilot Financial Talks to Agencies ATLANTA--Jefferson-Pilot Financial is in discussions with undisclosed agencies about its estimated $3 million account, according to a source at the company. Trone Advertising, High Point, N.C., resigned the Greensboro, N.C.-based account two weeks ago. For the Record Logan Marketing, New Orleans, did not contend for the New Orleans Saints account [Adweek, May 29], which went to Peter A. Mayer Advertising, also of New Orleans

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