Hotline

MD&A Partners to Go Separate Ways

DALLAS—The partners of MD&A Advertising, Design & Marketing have decided to end their collaboration as joint owners of the 20-year-old agency, sources said last week. In a statement, Robin McBride confirmed she and fellow principal JoAnn Dealey are “moving forward with a plan to separate the advertising agency” from its loyalty marketing group, Shop & Win. No indication was given of which partner will lead which enterprise. “We are still in the discussion stages,” McBride said. The 20-person Dallas shop specializes in retail and real estate advertising.

Austin Ad Club Requests ‘Samples’ of Work

DALLAS—The Austin Advertising Federation last week mailed out requests for submissions for next year’s Addy awards competition—with a photograph of a urine sample cup in the center of the invitational poster. “You will be tested” states the mailer, which is accompanied by a plastic sample cup and surgical gloves. The concept was created by Austin, Texas, agency Staats Falkenberg & Partners.

Richards Breaks Holiday Work for H-E-B

DALLAS—The Richards Group breaks a new television spot on Dec. 3 for grocery store chain H-E-B. In “Bigger Belt,” a man enters his kitchen, removes his belt, then uses a hammer and nail to create an extra notch in preparation for holiday eating. The spot is the last in a series of new holiday radio and TV ads which began rolling out in late November. Dallas-based Richards said the ads continue its strategy of showing H-E-B in a humorous, down-to-earth light.

Colby & Partners Wins Peter Piper Pizza

LOS ANGELES—Colby & Partners has been awarded the creative portion of Peter Piper Pizza’s estimated$3 million account following a review, confirmed Mark Seifert, vice president of marketing at the fast-food and entertainment chain. Seifert declined to name the other finalists. According to sources, they included Matthews/Mark in San Diego, Cramer-Krasselt in Phoenix and The Richards Group in Dallas. The 12-year incumbent, Moses Anshell in Phoenix, participated in the review but did not make the finals, sources said. The media portion of the account was assigned to Initiative Media in Los Angeles and Phoenix, Seifert said. Colby is located in Santa Monica, Calif. The client is based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Advanced Micro Devices Initiates Review

BOSTON—Advanced Micro Devices has launched a review for its $25-30 million global advertising account. The microprocessor company in Sunnyvale, Calif., wants to better compete against rivals such as Intel in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia. Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos in Boston and Publicis in London handle AMD’s domestic and European accounts, respectively. It was unclear at press time if the two agencies will participate in the competition being overseen by West Hollywood, Calif., consultancy Select Resources International. A short list is expected in mid-January, with a decision due by the end of February, according to SRI consultant Catherine Bension.