McCann-Erickson Enters Battle For Control of Diet Coke By Michael McCarthy with Cathy Taylo

NEW YORK - Classic Coke agency McCann-Erickson has won approval to test work on Diet Coke, now at sister Interpublic agen

McCann’s green light for production on new Diet Coke work comes at a time when the pitch for the world’s most popular diet soft drink enters endgame. Sources said Coke marketing czar Sergio Zyman could make the pick of who will get the business in the next few weeks so Coke can have a new campaign in place by the first quarter.
Other agencies making final pitches last week and early this week include the incumbent D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, Wieden & Kennedy and Fallon McElligott.
However, McCann isn’t the only IPG sibling with an interest in the $80 million Diet...