– Doe-Anderson Lands Power Mower Account
ATLANTA–Doe-Anderson Advertising and Public Relations has been named agency of record for Murray, a manufacturer and distributor of power lawn and garden equipment. The Louisville, Ky.-based agency won a shootout with Brentwood, Tenn., incumbent The Maryland Group for the account, after completing a project assignment that led to a new logo and tagline for the company. Neither the agency nor client would disclose the new slogan, release visuals of the new logo or disclose the media budget. Competitive Media Reporting cites 1998 spending at $1.4 million; $916,000 through August 1999. Patrick McCurdy, vice president of marketing for the Brentwood company, would not comment about the review. Executives at Doe-Anderson did not return calls by press time, but an agency representative confirmed the win.
– Hardee’s Looks to the West for New Agency
LOS ANGELES–Hardee’s Food Systems, a division of Carl’s Jr. parent CKE Restaurants, has awarded the creative portion of its $100 million national advertising account to Johnson/Ukropina Creative Marketing, Irvine, Calif. The shop is the Rocky Mount, N.C., client’s third agency in two years. The Leap Partnership, Chicago, had won the business from Angotti, Thomas, Hedge, New York, in October 1998.
– Renaissance Marketing Has Digital ESP
ATLANTA–Digital ESP, provider of e-business strategy and technology solutions, has retained Renaissance Marketing to create and implement a communications program. Renaissance will provide strategic services and manage the creation of all electronic and traditional marketing communications materials for Digital ESP, including the development of a new corporate identity, collateral material, Web site, national print media, trade show programs, and public and investor relations support. Other competitors for the estimated $3 million account were undisclosed. Both agency and client are located in Raleigh, N.C.
– WestWayne’s Simmons, Bell Losses Take Toll
ATLANTA–In the wake of resigning the Simmons Beautyrest advertising account and the subsequent loss of BellSouth’s corporate branding, WestWayne has laid off an undetermined number of employees. Sources said at least 25 people have been terminated, though representatives of the Atlanta agency said the number is much lower. “We lost an assignment, so good business practices dictated that we lose a few good people. We wish each one well,” said agency president Ben West.
– Smith’s ‘God’ Campaign Tops ShowSouth
ATLANTA–The Smith Agency’s outdoor “God speaks” campaign won best of show in the advertising category and three golds at last week’s ShowSouth Awards. The Fort Lauderdale shop’s ex-creative director, Charlie Robb, accepted the honors. Work of Richmond, Va., earned best of show in the graphic design division for the packaging of its microbrew, Work Beer. Best of show among interactive entries was Atlanta’s Copeland Hirther Design + Communications for its Milliken Carpet campaign.
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