Hotline

– JWT’s Tolpin Hands Some of West Role to Munroe
LOS ANGELES–Following the recent retirement of J. Walter Thompson’s London-based worldwide creative director, Allen Thomas, Larry Tolpin will focus more on his role as a worldwide creative director and scale back his responsibilities as CEO of JWT West & Canada. Greg Rowan, who had been senior partner and deputy creative director, will take over as creative director of JWT West. Gordon Munroe, president of JWT West, is expected to take over more of the day-to-day task of managing the West Coast operations from San Francisco.
– Schwartz Elevated at TBWA\C\D
LOS ANGELES–TBWA\Chiat\Day promoted Rob Schwartz to worldwide creative director on Nissan. Schwartz has been running the Nissan business in Playa del Rey, Calif., for the last year with partner Joe Hemp.
– TBWA\C\D Breaks Levi Work
SAN FRANCISCO–Levi Strauss & Co. will launch its new Engineered Jeans collections with a print and TV campaign from TBWA\Chiat\Day, San Francisco. Print ads break in May in publications such as Raygun, Flaunt, Blackbook and Detour. TV ads break in August. Print ads will also break in May and June for Levi’s Lot 53 heritage clothing line.
– Dailey Offers Esurance
SAN FRANCISCO–Esurance launches a national branding campaign today via Dailey & Associates, West Hollywood, Calif. The TV and print ads encourage Internet-savvy shoppers to go directly to Esurance.com to select insurance options. The San Francisco-based dot.com offers complete, real-time quote-to-claims service nationwide.
– Reviews Roundup … Union-Tribune Casts a Net
The San Diego Union-Tribune is looking for an agency to handle its estimated $1-3 million account, sources said. So far, the newspaper has met with undisclosed shops in the San Diego and Los Angeles markets. A decision is expected within 30 days. … After a review, Safeco Insurance selected WongDoody as its agency. The shop’s Seattle headquarters will handle the account, estimated at $6-7 million. Publicis and Copacino, both Seattle, were the other finalists. Cole & Weber, Seattle, was the incumbent. Select Resources International, Los Angeles, consulted. … The Alta Dena Certified Dairy, Los Angeles, narrowed its search to two agencies. Grey Advertising, Los Angeles, and Matthews/Mark, San Diego, are competing for the $5-8 million account, which is expected to be awarded in the next few weeks.
– Accounts Roundup … BBDO in the Pink
Pink Dot, an online grocery and delivery service, selected BBDO West to work on its $10 million creative, planning and media account. … San Francisco’s FCB Worldwide, claiming irreconcilable differences, has quit the E&J Gallo Winery account. … Redcart, an Internet service company, tapped Citron Haligman Bedecarrƒ to create an integrated marketing and branding campaign.