Hotlines: Late-Breaking Industry News

Publicis to Delist Shares On New York Stock ExchangeBOSTON Publicis Groupe last week said it would apply for voluntary delisting of its American Depositary Receipts from the New York Stock Exchange next week, with an effective date of Sept. 27. After delisting, the Paris-based holding company's ADRs would be available for trading on the U.S. over-the-counter market. The company also filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission to terminate the domestic registration of its securities, which immediately suspends its U.S. financial reporting obligations. That suspension should become permanent in 90 days.PlayStation Eyes Incumbent, 4 Others in $150 Mil. RaceLOS ANGELES Sony Computer Entertainment America narrowed its search to five finalists in its $150 million creative and media review. IPG's Deutsch/LA, Marina del Rey, Calif.; Publicis' Publicis in the West, Seattle; and independents RPA, Santa Monica, Calif., and Venables, Bell & Partners, San Francisco, will contend, along with the incumbent, Omnicom's TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., said sources. A formal briefing is set for Sept. 18, per sources. Representatives at the agencies, the Foster City, Calif.-based client and Select Resources International, all declined comment.Arnold, Nitro Launch 'Life Is Better' for VolvoHavas' Arnold and independent Nitro introduce the theme "Life is better lived together" in their first work for Volvo since winning the automaker's $150 million global account earlier this year. One spot breaking on TV this week shows a man and a woman seemingly involved in illicit activities, but are revealed to be a married couple meeting for their anniversary. The company's 6-year-old "Volvo. For life" tagline remains. "Volvo has always stood for safety, and thus is seen as a caring and responsible brand," said Tim Ellis, Volvo's director of global advertising, in a statement. "The 'Life is better lived together' global platform adds emotion and clarity to the brand."Goodby Asks Questions In First Work for Hyundaichicago Goodby, Silverstein & Partners encourages car buyers to "Think about it" in the Omnicom shop's first work for Hyundai since winning the automaker's $600 million account in April. The campaign, which breaks this week, poses questions about what should be considered standard in autos such as, "Shouldn't a car have more airbags than cupholders?" All of the creative directs consumers to a Web site, www.thinkaboutit.com. The campaign does not mention the brand in hopes of deflecting what it has called a misperception of Hyundai as a cut-rate automaker.ML Rogers Lands $35 Mil. Checkers Drive-In AccountcHICAGO New York independent agency ML Rogers has won creative duties on Checkers Drive-In Restaurants' $35 million account, the client confirmed. Contenders in the review, which was conducted by Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., could not be determined. New York independent agency Amalgamated, the Tampa, Fla., company's incumbent agency, did not defend. ML Rogers' first work, which will also include the Rally's brand, will be be a television campaign breaking this fall. Finalists Pitch This Week For GNC's Creative Duties LOS ANGELES General Nutrition Center is holding final presentations this week for creative chores on its $30 million account, according to sources. Agency finalists are undisclosed. There is no incumbent, as the Pittsburgh-based chain of more than 5,000 outlets had been creating ads largely in-house or with roster shops, per sources, and working with independent Cramer-Krasselt's Milwaukee office on media, which is not in play. GNC spent $30 million on domestic ads last year and $25 million through June 2007, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Recent ads use "Live well" as a tagline. 'Adweek' Names Managing, Features Editors new york Libby Estell has joined Adweek as managing editor, running day-to-day editorial operations and overseeing all departments. Estell was most recently senior sections editor at Women's Wear Daily. She's also held positions at Incentive, Successful Meetings and Sales & Marketing Management. In addition, Roberta Bernstein has been hired as features editor, a vacant post. Bernstein, who will be editing long-form articles encompassing new media, pop culture and marketing strategies, most recently was a freelance editor at publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Samsung Begins Review Of $500 Mil. Global MediaNEW YORK South Korean electronics giant Samsung has put its global media account into review, per sources. WPP's MindShare handles media chores in about 60 markets, including the U.S., where the client spent $140 million on ads in 2006, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Global ad spending exceeds $500 million. Along with MindShare, it is likely that Publicis Groupe's Starcom would participate in the review, per sources. Starcom sibling Leo Burnett is Samsung's lead creative agency. It could not be immediately determined if Starcom currently handles any client media chores. Agencies and client declined comment.

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