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Mirant Corp. Goes Into ReviewATLANTA—Southern Company spinoff Mirant Corp. is in the early stages of a review for its first agency. Billings for the new account, which involves creative and media buying, are estimated at $12 million. The Atlanta-based energy wholesaler will be considering five local agencies: WestWayne, Cole Henderson Drake, Sawyer Riley Compton, Trone Atlanta and Iconologic. New York's Siegel & Gale, which helped design the company's graphic identity, would not confirm its participation in the review. Mirant, spun off from the Southern Co. last fall, began trading in April. The company provides electricity and natural gas to markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Creative Alliance Gains A&W RestaurantsATLANTA—Creative Alliance has added the A&W Restaurants account following a review that included three undisclosed agencies. The Louisville, Ky., shop will provide television, radio and print ads and strategic planning services. A&W is owned by Yorkshire Global Restaurants. The chain also owns Long John Silver's Restaurants. Account billings are undisclosed. Erwin-Penland Wins Pair of Tech AccountsATLANTA—Erwin-Penland has captured the accounts of ScanSource and Catalyst Telecom. The Greenville, S.C., shop bested two undisclosed local rivals to land the two businesses. E-P will develop and execute national trade advertising, direct mail campaigns and collateral for the Greenville-based communications technology providers. Billings are undisclosed. First Citizens Bank Taps McKinney & Silver ATLANTA—First Citizens Bank has named McKinney & Silver its lead agency. The Raleigh, N.C., agency will provide its crosstown client with brand positioning, strategic marketing and advertising. Annual billings are estimated at $3 million. TJX Names 2 Finalists for Hispanic BusinessBOSTON—Two finalists have been named in the review for the Hispanic advertising accounts of TJX Cos.' retail chains T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Del Rivero Messianu DDB, Coral Gables, Fla., and Dieste & Partners, Dallas, emerged from a field of six undisclosed contenders and are being considered as successors to Publicis Sanchez & Levitan, Miami, according to client representative Karen Coppola. PS&L, which had handled assignments for the past three years, did not participate in the review. A decision is expected next month and there is a chance the account may be split between the two shops. Sources pegged combined T.J. Maxx and Marshalls' Hispanic spending in the $5-6 million range, divided evenly between the two chains.Kosuk Joins Mullen/LHC Amid LayoffsBOSTON—Mullen/LHC confirmed hiring Beth Kosuk as group creative director on T.J. Maxx's $20-25 million account. Kosuk had been with Lowe Lintas, New York, working on Dell Computers and others accounts. Last week Mullen/LHC in Winston-Salem, N.C., cut roughly 20 percent of its workforce, citing recent client losses.

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