Monster to Move Creative From Deutsch

NEW YORK Monster, the online job search site, confirmed it is moving creative chores on its account from Interpublic Group agency Deutsch, though the shop here is keeping media buying and planning chores.

The client declined to say where the creative would go, but sources said a review is not in the offing and that Monster is likely in negotiations with a new shop to handle the business.

The Maynard, Mass., client spent $40 million on U.S. ads in 2004, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

A representative at Monster confirmed the move from Deutsch but did not elaborate other than to say, “In the coming weeks [the company] would make an announcement as it relates to creative development.”

Sources said chemistry issues have arisen between Deutsch and Monster in a recent dispute over fees.

“Monster remains on our client roster, but as they’ve always done, they also partner with other agencies to meet their business needs,” said Deutsch representative Vonda LePage, who declined to comment on whether there were fee issues with the client.

Monster awarded its account to New York-based Deutsch in July 2003 after a review that included finalists Saatchi & Saatchi, a Publicis Groupe shop, and DDB, a unit of Omnicom Group. That review was handled by Boston-based consultancy Pile and Co. Havas’ Arnold in Boston was the incumbent. Before Arnold, Monster worked with IPG’s Mullen in Wenham, Mass.

Just last September, Monster expanded its relationship with Deutsch, giving the shop its below-the-line business after a review of undisclosed agencies. PreVision in Lincoln, Mass., had been the incumbent on that business.

—with David Gianatasio