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McCann's Intel Pitch Earns Applause at Sales MeetingNEW YORK Intel CEO Andy Grove and CMO Eric Kim presented a film created by the IPG team pitching the $300 million account to a meeting of sales executives in Santa Clara, Calif., the week of Feb. 7. The work, based on the theme "People love technology" was met with applause, prompting some to believe the IPG team— anchored by McCann WorldGroup companies—is the agency to beat. WPP's team is being led by Berlin Cameron/Red Cell and Young & Rubicam; and Omnicom's team by DDB. A McCann representative could not be reached for comment; representatives for Intel declined comment. The client parted ways with Havas' Euro RSCG in January. Final pitches are set for the end of the month.Online Poker Room Issues RFI for $20 Mil. Ad Account Slickstreet Marketing, an online gaming company headquartered in Gibraltar, has launched a review for its $20 million account. Requests for information distributed to East Coast shops last week said that the account could grow to as much as $60 million, based on the success of a campaign for a 2-year-old online poker room. Though the client has previously focused its efforts online, it is now looking for an integrated plan. The form, due back Thursday to AAR Partners in New York, said that the winner will target adults who are comfortable making online transactions. Agencies returning the RFI must include retail, online, international and gaming experience. The client could not be reached for comment. The consultant declined comment. A decision is due in mid-April.Coke Asks Mother to Launch Mountain Dew CompetitorNEW YORK Independent shop Mother is working on the launch of Vault, a new product that the Coca-Cola Co. is planning to introduce in June, sources said. The New York agency last year was awarded creative duties on Coke's energy drink Full Throttle, intended to compete with Red Bull. Sources said Vault is a carbonated citrus drink that is Coke's answer to PepsiCo's Mountain Dew. Mother's London office handles Coke Classic in the U.K. The agency could not be reached. A Coca-Cola rep declined comment. Motorola Shifts $35 Mil. In Planning, Buying to CaratLOS ANGELES Motorola has moved its $35 million-plus U.S. media planning and buying business to Aegis' Carat in New York, from IPG's Universal McCann, also in New York, sources said. The change was made following a review that began last summer and at one time also included WPP's MindShare in New York. Both UM and MindShare are Motorola roster agencies abroad, with the former handling China, Latin America and Canada, and the latter handling buying and planning in Europe and parts of Asia. The agencies declined comment. The client could not be reached.Revlon Asked Shops For Ideas About New Scent, Color-StayNEW YORk As part of their final pitches, which concluded on Friday, Revlon asked agencies to present ideas for Flair, a women's fragrance the client plans to launch during the holiday season, sources said. The $125 million account is handled by IPG's Deutsch in New York, which is defending against WPP's Berlin Cameron/ Red Cell and Publicis' The Kaplan Thaler Group, both New York. Revlon also asked contenders for a Revlon brand campaign and ideas for its line of Color-Stay cosmetics, sources said. Deutsch also handles Revlon's Almay brands, but it was not clear if that business would be affected by the outcome of the review. Revlon declined comment.Anti-Smoking Sitcom: It's Not Funny Because It's TrueBOSTON The American Legacy Foundation today breaks two spots, via MDC's Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Miami, and Havas' Arnold, Boston, called "Fair Enough" and "Gumballs." The 60-second ads resemble TV sitcoms, complete with laugh track. "Gumballs" shows a group of tobacco company execs strategizing about marketing techniques aimed at young people. One exec asks, "So any new product ideas for young chewers?" Staffers suggest wrapping tobacco with a sugar coating. The spots close with the line, "It might be funnier if it wasn't true." Legacy spent about $50 million on ads from January through November 2004, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR. Jaguar Briefs Finalists In $100 Mil. Global ReviewNEW YORK The six finalists in Jaguar's $100 global creative review will be briefed Tuesday at the client's office outside of London, sources said. The briefing will last all day, according to sources. Final presentations are slated for the second week of March. The finalists are WPP shops Berlin Cameron/Red Cell and JWT, both in New York; Havas' Euro RSCG in New York; MDC's Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners in New York; and independents M&C Saatchi and Leagas Delaney, both in London, the client confirmed. The incumbent, WPP's Young & Rubicam in Irvine, Calif., was cut last week.5 Contenders Pursue $240 Mil. Shell MediaNEW YORK The Shell Group in London last week heard from five shops for its $240 million global media consolidation, sources said. It would for the first time put all of the firm's media with one agency. Presenting agencies included Aegis' Carat, IPG's Initiative, WPP's Maxus, Grey's MediaCom and Publicis' Starcom MediaVest. A client representative confirmed that Omnicom's OMD was invited to pitch, but declined, citing its conflict with Exxon. The list will be cut to two or three finalists early this week. Final presentations will be made in Houston in early April, with a decision coming later that month. The winner's contract would start in July. Rutman Exits Carat Post To Become MPG's CEOLOS ANGELES Havas' MPG last week tapped 30-year media executive and Carat USA president Charlie Rutman to be its new CEO. Rutman will replace Jim Rose, who left in November to be CEO of field-marketing company Mosaic Sales Solutions in Irving, Texas. Rutman helped launch Carat in the U.S. seven years ago, and also held top posts at the former D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles and Backer Spielvogel Bates. Rutman will begin his new job in April; Carat has not named his successor.

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