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E*Trade Ad-Agency Search Stalls LOS ANGELES—E*Trade Financial's agency search appears to have stalled, sources said. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based client is meeting this week with its current agency, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, to discuss strategy, a client representative said. While the San Francisco shop had considered resigning the $40 million account, sources said the two will continue to work together if both parties can agree on a future direction. E*Trade began contacting agencies last month. Goodby reps declined comment. Nextel Launches $150 Mil. Creative, Media ReviewBOSTON—Nextel Communications confirmed that its marketing "evaluation" has become a review for its $150 million creative and media account. Roth Associates in New York will oversee the search. Incumbents Mullen in Wenham, Mass., and Initiative Media in New York, both Interpublic Group agencies, are defending. "[This] does not reflect a lack of confidence with Mullen's capabilities," said Nextel vp, marketing Mark Schweitzer. Mullen's TV spots that broke last week drop pitchman Dennis Franz in favor of celebrities such as Rob Lowe and George Lopez. Mexican Tourism Poised to Begin SearchNEW YORK—The Mexican Council of Tourism is gearing up for a review of its global account, now at McCann-Erickson in Mexico City, sources said. According to sources, the client plans to spend up to $40 million on marketing efforts. McCann's two-year contract expires on March 31, an agency representative said. The shop will defend, the rep added. The government is expected to issue a "solicitation" in the next few weeks, said sources. Access to client officials will be limited, and the council may use a consultant, said sources. Euro RSCG Takes Aventis' $100 Mil. Global BizNEW YORK—Euro RSCG Worldwide has won Aventis Pharmaceuticals' estimated $100 million global Lantus diabetes-drug account, sources said. The Havas shop bested two others in the final round: Grey Global Group's Healthy Grey; and WPP Group's Young & Rubicam, said sources. Each agency partnered with sister shops that handle media buying and other specialty disciplines. Euro RSCG reps declined comment.Lowe Wins Electrolux's $75 Mil. AccountNEW YORK—Electrolux has selected Lowe to handle its consolidated $75 million global creative account, sources said. The IPG shop beat two other finalists: Grey Global Group's Grey; and the WPP team of Berlin Cameron/Red Cell in New York and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R in London, said sources. The review was managed by London consultancy Agency Assessments International. Cisco Taps Ogilvy for $100-150 Mil. Global WorkLOS ANGELES—Ogilvy & Mather has been named Cisco Systems' lead agency, replacing darkGrey in New York, the client confirmed last week. The move was expected, as Ogilvy in Culver City, Calif., was said to be working on a campaign for the San Jose, Calif.-based client last year [Adweek, Sept. 2]. Cisco is planning to spend $100-150 million in 2003 on a global marketing campaign from Ogilvy, said a Cisco representative.

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