Hotlines

Berlex Labs Contacts Shops On $20-25 Mil. Drug AccountNEW YORK Berlex Laboratories, a U.S. affiliate of German drug giant Schering AG, has contacted agencies about its estimated $20-25 million account, sources said. Denville, N.J.-based Berlex markets women's contraceptives and drugs that treat cancer, skin disorders and other debilitating diseases. IPG's McCann-Erickson in New York handles the bulk of Berlex's creative duties, said sources. Media duties were at sister shop Universal McCann until the New York agency resigned the account to take on $200 million in Johnson & Johnson business. The shops were contacted by Jin Li Allen, a Berlex executive and former svp at Torre Lazur McCann Healthcare in New York. Allen did not return calls. McCann declined comment.Tyson Looks Past DDB for Project; BrainReserve Hired CHICAGO "A number of agencies" are pursuing an undisclosed Tyson Foods project, according to the company's chief marketing officer, Bob Corscadden. Corscadden would not disclose the nature of the business in question. Sources said Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve has issued a blind RFP to agencies for what one source described as a creative project. Corscadden said Tyson's relationship with lead agency DDB in Chicago is unaffected. "It's not a review," he said. In January, DDB broke a $40 million campaign tagged, "It's what your family deserves."Three Shops Will Vie for AOL's $55-60 Mil. Interactive AccountNEW YORK America Online named four finalists for its estimated $55-60 million interactive creative and media account on Thursday, but one contender bowed out, sources said. The remaining finalists are Modem Media in Norwalk, Conn., partly owned by IPG; independent Digitas in New York; and creative incumbent AtmosphereBBDO in New York, which is teaming with Omnicom sibling OMD, said sources. Deutsch's iDeutsch in New York also advanced but withdrew due to workload, sources said. Online media incumbent Doner Direct in Detroit declined to participate. Final presentations will be held early next year at AOL's Dulles, Va., offices. AOL asked shops to develop an online marketing and media strategy to draw new subscribers to its dial-up and broadband services. A decision is due in mid-January. AOL is in the midst of a review for its estimated $300 million U.S. traditional media account, now at IPG's Initiative Media.Carat Unveiled in Masterfoods ReviewLOS ANGELES Aegis' Carat also presented to Masterfoods USA in the marketer's $350 million media planning and buying consolidation review, sources said. The client had said it would go beyond its roster, which includes Grey's MediaCom, WPP's Mediaedge:cia, Publicis' MediaVest and Omnicom's OMD. Neither Carat nor the client returned calls.Nokia Mystery Unfolds in Richards Group's Last AdsLOS ANGELES The Richards Group in Dallas will take Nokia to the Sugar Bowl for the last time in January with a five-spot, unfolding-drama campaign that launches Dec. 28. It concludes with a 60-second ad during the Nokia Sugar Bowl's halftime broadcast on Jan 4. The spots spin a football mystery investigated by Snoop Dogg, who uses a Nokia 3620 imaging phone from his limo. In one spot, a former coach plays football with his N-gage wireless device. In another, the mute Texas Christian University mascot, Horn Frog, dances to a 3300 music phone MP-3 player. Johnnie Cochran appears in at least one spot, confirmed creative group head Chuck Schiller. In November, Nokia began a creative review of its $35 million account by sending RFPs to 17 shops. The Richards Group declined to participate.Red Tettemer Spotlights Style Network's LookNEW YORK Taking a cue from its makeover shows, E! Networks' 5-year-old sister channel The Style Network is promoting its programming changes via a $10 million TV campaign from Red Tettemer. The channel, once known for its haute-couture focus, has refashioned itself as a "life improvement" network with more fare for ordinary folks. Ads from the Philadelphia shop, tagged, "Where life gets a new look," play on the twist the network has given the traditional face-lift format. "They have a designer redo your room. We have your ex," a voiceover explains in one of four spots. Work will air on various national cable networks.

Brand Marketing

Hotlines

David Kaplan

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

David Kaplan