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Ace Hardware Chooses GoodbyCHICAGO—Ace Hardware has selected Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco to handle the creative portion of its $30 million account following a review, a company representative said. Finalists also included incumbent Campbell Mithun in Chicago, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners in New York and Atlanta's WestWayne. Media buying remains at New York-based Horizon Media. Bates Loses $160 Mil. Hyundai Dealer AccountLOS ANGELES—Hyundai Motor America's four regional dealer associations last week notified Bates they are terminating the relationship at the end of their contracts, said client representative Chris Hosford. The contracts are up at the end of August or September, depending on the region, he said. Media duties for the $160 million account are expected to go to Carat in Los Angeles, while The Richards Group in Dallas is expected to add creative. Hosford said no contracts have been signed. The move follows layoffs at Bates USA West, Irvine, Calif. President and CEO Tim Hart was let go last month, along with about 20 staffers, including vice chairman and executive creative director Mike Robertson, sources said. John Upton, evp and group account director, is now leading the office. Bates declined comment. TBWA\C\D Exits, McCann Joins Lottery FinalsLOS ANGELES—McCann-Erickson in Los Angeles has been named a finalist in the review for the five-year, $125 million California Lottery account, the client confirmed. The shop had the fifth-highest score following proposal submissions in May and fills a slot vacated last week by TBWA\Chiat\Day, a lottery representative said. The Playa del Rey, Calif., shop cited other new-business opportunities and the win of Mars brands Uncle Ben's, Whiskas and Seeds of Change as reasons for its exit. The other finalists are the incumbent, Grey in Los Angeles, DDB in Los Angeles and Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco. A decision is expected by the end of July. FCB Passes on Mattel Boys Toys AccountCHICAGO—Foote, Cone & Belding in Chicago and El Segundo, Calif., declined to defend Mattel's $40 million-plus boys and entertainment account, sources said. FCB, New York, will pursue business with Mattel-owned licensed entertainment properties for Fisher Price, sources said. Still pitching the boys and entertainment business and infant and preschool licensed entertainment properties are roster shops Ogilvy & Mather, Culver City., Calif.; Young & Rubicam in Irvine, Calif.; and McCann-Erickson, San Francisco. Pitching Mattel global assignments are incumbent Ogilvy & Mather and McCann-Erickson, the client said. Billings for all three accounts are more than $50 million. IHOP Selects SemifinalistsLOS ANGELES—IHOP Corp. has cut to six or seven undisclosed semifinalists in the review for creative on its $30 million account, an IHOP representative said. Four or five finalists will present to the Glendale, Calif., client in late June or early July, with a decision shortly thereafter. The account was last handled by Heil-Brice Retail Advertising, Newport Beach, Calif. The search is being led by consultant Gregg Nettleton in Atlanta.

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