Hotline

Suzuki Hunts for Regional Agencies

DALLAS—American Suzuki Motor Corp. has begun a search for advertising agencies to handle two of its territories in the U.S. market, the company said in a statement last week. The firm is looking for shops to handle its western and southern locations, with responsibilities including regional and local advertising as well as media buying for both Suzuki motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Colby Effler & Partners in Santa Monica, Calif., handles Suzuki’s national account. The client could not be reached for comment at press time last week.

Jordan Focuses on Child Neglect

DALLAS—Implementing the second phase of a campaign on behalf of the Oklahoma Department of HumanServices, advertising agency Jordan Associates this summer introduces the theme “Child neglect. Asking for help is OKlahoma.” Targeting primarily low-income, single white females, the pro bono campaign’s goal is to increase the number of calls to a hot-line number that provides referrals for parenting assistance. Elements of the campaign include several television spots, outdoor billboards and collateral. Last year, Oklahoma City-based Jordan introduced its first ODHS project to increase public awareness of child abuse.

Deutsch Drops Out of Universal Review

NEW YORK—Deutsch has withdrawn from the review for the creative portion of Universal Studios’ $30-40 million theme parks account, an agency representative confirmed. Client representative Jim Yeager declined comment. The Orlando, Fla.-based client is seeking a shop to develop ads for the client’s attractions in both Los Angeles and Orlando. The remaining five contenders are: McKinney & Silver in Raleigh, N.C.; The Martin Agency in Richmond, Va.; The Richards Group in Dallas; Doner in Southfield, Mich.; and davidandgoliath in Los Angeles. Media planning and buying duties, handled by DDB in Los Angeles, are unaffected by the review, sources said.

Martin Launches Timberland Apparel

ATLANTA—The Martin Agency introduces Timberland’s branded apparel in a campaign breaking this week. The Richmond, Va., shop, which lost the $15-20 million account earlier this year, has crafted ads that play off the question, “Would you do it again?” Ads will run in Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health, Esquire, GQ and other periodicals. TV breaks Oct. 1 on ESPN, Comedy Central and VH1. The client has been reviewing shops for several months. Black Rocket/Euro RSCG, San Francisco; Fallon and J. Walter Thompson, both New York; and Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, remain in the review.

Crispin Creates Buzz for BMW’s Mini

ATLANTA—Details continued to emerge last week about Crispin Porter + Bogusky’s “Motoring” campaign in support of BMW’s reintroduction of the Mini [Adweek, July 30]. The Miami shop has created a print and promotional effort (TV has not been decided upon) around “the life-affirming exhilaration … [the] unifying religion” that is part of the car’s mystique. The Mini and high-performance Mini Cooper S will hit the American market next March. Crispin’s work will break in October.