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Bahamas Account in PlayBOSTON—The Bahamas Tourism Ministry expects to issue RFPs this week to roster shops Bozell and Irma S. Mann, Strategic Marketing and five undisclosed others for its $10-15 million account, said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, director general of the ministry. Bozell, New York, handles consumer ads; ISM in Boston works on trade campaigns. The ministry recently contacted about a dozen agencies in New York, California and Florida to gauge their interest, sources said. It is looking to offset a drop in travel since the Sept. 11 attacks and will focus on Southeastern markets such as Florida, sources said. Vanderpool-Wallace said the review is being driven mainly by the Bahamas' recent change in government. A decision is expected before the end of the year. MMB Opens West Coast OfficeLOS ANGELES—McCarthy Mambro Bertino has opened a four-person office in Marina del Rey, Calif., the agency confirmed. MMB was founded in Boston in 2001. The outpost is led by general manager John McGonigle and director of strategic planning Ivan Wicksteed. The two had worked on Sony PlayStation at TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., before exiting two years ago to found brand consultancy Infectious Ideas in Venice, Calif. Infections Ideas has merged with MMB, McGonigle said. The office will primarily promote console titles for Infogrames, an account won by the Boston office in April, and is also working on Jiffy Lube. Carat S.F. Names Managing DirectorSAN FRANCISCO—Carat's office here named Kelly Konis White managing director. She reports to Dan Belmont, president of Carat's business and technology group. White has worked in advertising for 13 years, most recently as director of marketing at Business 2.0. The media agency also named Michael Nicholas vice president. PacifiCare to Name Hispanic FinalistsLOS ANGELES—PacifiCare Health Systems is expected to name four or five finalists this week in the review for its estimated $2 million Hispanic account. Approximately 15 shops responded to the RFP, including al Punto in Tustin, Calif.; cruz/kravetz: Ideas in Los Angeles; Mendoza, Dillon & Asociados in Newport Beach, Calif.; and Publicis Sanchez & Levitan in Irvine, Calif., and Dallas, sources said. Hispanic marketing is a new initiative for the Santa Ana, Calif., client. The review is being led by Select Resources International in West Hollywood, Calif. Brooks Sports Hires DDB SeattleLOS ANGELES—DDB Seattle has been tapped by Brooks Sports, a footwear, apparel and accessories company in Bothell, Wash. The client has spent less than $1 million on ads during the last two years, per CMR. DDB is preparing print ads to run in the spring. For the RecordA news story [Adweek, Oct. 14] misidentified Ackerman McQueen's evp and corporate media director; she is Peggy Howard. Also, the review was not the result of the agency's effort to reassess its vendor relationships. That initiative came from the client.

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