Hotline

– Sirius Loses 2 Top Officials Key in Hiring Goodby
SAN FRANCISCO–Two Sirius Satellite Radio executives who played a key role in hiring Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in June, have left the company. They are: vice president of marketing Terrence Sweeney and his boss, senior vice president of marketing Ira Bahr. The reasons for their departure were not disclosed. A client representative said Goodby is still the company’s agency.
– Twists and Turns in Hunt for Monster.com
NEW YORK–TBWA\Chiat\Day was among the shops that met last week with Monster.com, sources said. TBWA\C\D, New York, withdrew from another review–for HotJobs.com–to pursue the $75-90 million Monster.com business, but previously was not identified as a contender [Adweek, Aug. 7]. Other contenders have been identified as Mullen, Wenham, Mass.; Arnold Communications, Boston; Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore.; and New York shops BBDO, Bozell and Ogilvy & Mather. It was unclear if all those remained in the pitch. DDB said it has withdrawn.
– 8 Agencies Receive Hummer Invites
DALLAS–Eight agencies have received RFPs from General Motors to participate in a review for the $20 million account of Hummer. Participants include the incumbent, Pyro Brand Development, which is pitching with The Richards Group, both in Dallas; The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va.; and Mullen, Wenham, Mass. McCann-Erickson in Detroit is said to be participating, but declined comment. Berlin, Cameron & Partners, New York, was invited, but will not pursue.
– Havas Files Forms With SEC; Snyder Deal Close
BOSTON–Havas Advertising last week filed an F-4 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, bringing closer to completion its proposed $2.1 billion stock acquisition of Snyder Communications, parent of Arnold Communications and other agencies. The deal is expected to close in September, after which Havas’ stock will be traded on the Nasdaq Exchange under the HADV symbol.
– Commercial Director Killed
NEW YORK–Award-winning director Jhoan Camitz, 38, was killed last Thursday as a result of a shooting in downtown Manhattan, New York. A man who had been shot at the wheel of his Range Rover lost control of the vehicle and struck Camitz, who was preparing to cross the street, according to reports. Camitz won several awards for his Nike campaign tagged, “What are you getting ready for,” a gold-lion winner at Cannes in 1999. He also directed spots for Volkswagen, Diesel, Orangina and Smirnoff, among others.
– Account Activity
Three agencies are finalists in the estimated $20 million Unisys review: Grey Worldwide, McCann-Erickson, both New York, and Leo Burnett, Chicago, sources said. The incumbent Bozell parted ways with the client in May after sister shop FCB landed the Compaq account. Four agencies are vying for Instinet’s $15 million account: Doner, Southfield, Mich.; Mullen, Wenham, Mass.; DiNoto Lee, New York; and Brouillard Communications, also New York, sources said. Richard Roth Associates is managing the search.