Hotlines

Saatchi to Launch New Toyota Prius With 'Start Now' Tag LOS ANGELES Toyota and Publicis' Saatchi & Saatchi in Torrance, Calif., will break an estimated $50 million global ad campaign for the second-generation 2004 Toyota Prius next month with a new tagline, "Start now." Roman Coppola and Tarsem each directed a spot, sources said. One spot for the new hybrid model touts its Hybrid Synergy Drive power-train system, sources said. Another highlights the Prius' roomy interior, and a third offers what one source described as a "power-/speed-type statement." Parts of the campaign will run in about 12 markets, including the U.S., Japan and Europe. A Toyota rep declined comment. IPG to Dismantle Entertainment Group; Dowley's Future Unclear NEW YORK In its drive to consolidate services and cut costs, IPG is expected to dissolve its Sports and Entertainment Group and realign its six units with other divisions, sources said. Sources have questioned the future of Mark Dowley, who runs the group [Adweek, Aug. 18]. Last week, a holding company rep discounted the speculation, saying, "Mark Dowley remains chairman and CEO of Interpublic's Sports and Entertainment Group, and is in discussions with IPG regarding his future role." The rep declined further comment. Dowley, a former McCann-Erickson WorldGroup vice chairman who was appointed last year by then-IPG CEO John Dooner, could not be reached.Cotton Inc. Looks Beyond 30-Year Partner Ogilvy NEW YORK After 30 years with WPP's Ogilvy & Mather, Cotton Inc. has placed the creative portion of its estimated $20 million ad account in review. Last week, the New York-based industry group issued RFPs, which are due back by month's end, said vp, marketing Ric Hendee. A list of semifinalists will be selected for client visits, and finalists will be named shortly thereafter. Shops will make creative and strategic presentations in October, with a decision due before Thanksgiving, Hendee said. New York-based Ogilvy is defending and has been granted a bye to the final round. Cotton is looking for expertise in Internet advertising, print and retail, Hendee said. Select Resources International in West Hollywood, Calif., is overseeing the search. WPP's MindShare in New York continues to handle media. Gateway, LB Works Break 'Humanology' Campaign CHICAGO LB Works, here, stresses the human support behind Gateway Corp.'s technology in the company's first business-to-business effort in three years, themed "Humanology." Print ads, which break today in national business magazines and newspapers, depict human anatomy merged with Gateway technology, such as an ear on a server. A TV spot running on national business-cable channels shows pieces of technol-ogy moving around an office by themselves, and a voiceover says, "If all you needed was technology, you wouldn't need us — the humans behind the technology." Spending was not disclosed. The San Diego-based company spent about $20 million on b-to-b ads last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence/ CMR. LB Works is a division of Publicis' Leo Burnett.NBC Poised to Buy Universal EntertainmentNEW YORK Vivendi agreed last week to negotiate exclusively with NBC to sell Universal Entertainment Group, which includes USA Network, the Sci-Fi Channel and the Universal film and TV studios, as well as theme parks, for about $14 billion in equity. The new company will be 80 percent owned by NBC parent GE and 20 percent owned by Vivendi Universal. The two companies are expected to sign a deal by the end of the month.American Business Media Breaks B-to-B EffortNEW YORK A $3 million print and online campaign for American Business Media, the association for business-to-business media companies, breaks today from Mad Dogs and Englishmen, New York. It features anonymous executives "confessing" that business media is their secret to success. The tagline remains, "The media that builds business." Three executions are running in Adweek magazines, The Wall Street Journal and Chief Executive, among others. Media buying was handled by Mark Rothman and Associates in New York.

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