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3 Southeast Shops Make Nicklaus Golf Cut ATLANTA--The list of agencies contending for the creative portion of Nicklaus Golf Equipment's ad account is down to six, and it is likely the winner will come from that group. Client director of marketing Andrew York identified the finalists as BBDO South, Atlanta; GSD&M, Austin, Texas; Ground Zero, Santa Monica, Calif.; Leonard/Monahan, Providence, R.I.; Venue, Riviera Beach, Fla.; and Hollywood Cows, a creative production firm in Orlando, Fla. The latter two already do project work for the West Palm Beach, Fla.-based client. The company is currently spending about $2 million on its advertising, but pledges to increase that figure to $5-6 million next year. The six shops will meet with Nicklaus officials the first week of November and the review will include a spec creative assignment. York said the firm hopes to make a decision after those presentations, but left the option open for the list to be cut once more. Media for the account is handled by Media Horizons in Norwalk, Conn., but agencies have the option of making a pitch for that part of the business as well. Merkley Wins $12-15 Mil. Thoroughbred Biz ATLANTA--Merkley Newman Harty in New York was named winner of the $12-15 million National Thoroughbred Racing Association account last week, according to Jerry Brown of Brown & Martin Consulting here. Merkley defeated three other shops: BBDO South in Atlanta, The Richards Group in Dallas and the Los Angeles office of D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles. Brown credited Merkley's innovative approach to the account as well as the fact the agency pledged that executive vice president and director of strategic planning Jane Newman, executive creative director Marty Cooke and director of business development Steve Bowen would work on the business. This is the first time the fledgling New York-based client has had an agency relationship. Daewoo Selects Leap's Brand Strategy CHICAGO--Daewoo Motor America has selected a "national brand platform and strategy" presented by The Leap Partnership here that will be used in all four of its U.S. regions. The automaker said in a statement, "This was not a presentation to select a 'national agency,' " and that it remains committed to its regional marketing structure. Its three other regional agencies, which also presented strategies, are Ground Zero, Santa Monica, Calif.; Korey Kay & Partners, New York; and Tausche Martin Lonsdorf, Atlanta. No national advertising budget has been disclosed. Coca-Cola Elects New Chairman, CEO ATLANTA--Following the death of Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive Roberto Goizueta earlier this month, Coke's board of directors last week elected Goizueta's successor, Douglas Ivester, as expected. A Coke employee since 1979, Ivester was president and chief operating officer of the company since 1994.

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