Hotline

Safeco List Down to 5

SAN FRANCISCO—Five finalists have been named in the $10-20 million Safeco review. The agencies are WongDoody, Copacino and Publicis in the West, all in Seattle, Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore., and BBDO West in San Francisco. Select Resources International in West Hollywood, Calif., is the consultant in the review. A final decision is expected by the end of October. Safeco broke off relations with WongDoody in January and has not had a formal agency relationship since then. Safeco is an insurance and financial product provider based in Seattle.

Kinko’s Eyeing Finalists

SAN FRANCISCO—Kinko’s has developed a shortlist of agencies in the review for its ad account, according to sources. The Ventura, Calif., client has been working with TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., since July 1998. Kinko’s spent just under $20 million on advertising in 2000 and approximately $15 million through the first half of this year, according to CMR. A TBWA\C\D representative confirmed that the shop is defending but declined further comment. Kinko’s did not return calls. Sources said Kinko’s is happy with TBWA\C\D but with Gary Kusin joining as president and CEO from HQ Global Workplaces, the company wants to “check and make sure they’re doing all the right things.” The review comes as Kinko’s is attempting to position itself as a business-services outfit, not merely a copy shop.

Lloyd Named GM of FCB Seattle

SAN FRANCISCO—Chris Lloyd was promoted to general manager of Foote, Cone & Belding in Seattle. He will report to Ian Beavis, president of FCB’s Seattle and San Francisco offices. Lloyd, 42, served as a group account director at FCB, Seattle, for two years prior to his promotion. Before that, he was a group account director at McKinney & Silver in North Carolina.

3 Left in Shakey’s Review

LOS ANGELES—Restaurant chain Shakey’s narrowed its agency search to three California finalists: Mosaic Advertising in Sherman Oaks, Kalis & Savage Advertising in Pacific Palisades, and Big Imagination Group in Culver City. The creative and media account is worth roughly $2 million. Big Imagination Group has been handling branding, ID and trade advertising projects for Shakey’s since July. Presentations are scheduled for Oct. 10, with a decision expected soon after. Late last week, Colby & Partners in Los Angeles dropped out of the review, according to agency evp Kim Haskell.

Initiative’s Phoenix Office Reels In $15 Mil.

LOS ANGELES—Initiative Media North America’s Phoenix office has won approximately $15 million in new business over the past two weeks. After participating in reviews with undisclosed agencies, the media shop won buying and planning duties from Cold Stone Creamery ice cream, the Showcase Honda auto dealership and Six Sigma Academy, a business-to-business software company. The Phoenix office is headed by Sherry Crider.