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Alberto-Culver Shifts Media, Creative NEW YORK--The Alberto-Culver Co. has consolidated its media account at Carat/MBS, New York. The $50-60 million business was split between Carat and Lois/EJL, Chicago, which retains creative duties on several brands. The client also shifted creative responsibility on its Alberto VO5 hair-care line to Avrett, Free & Ginsberg in New York, with spending estimated at nearly $13 million. A portion of the account, V05 hot-oil treatment, was at Partners & Shevack/Wolf, also New York. The remainder was unassigned. Volvo Sale May Lead to Media Shift NEW YORK--Ford Motor Co.'s $6.5 billion acquisition of Volvo's car business could lead to a consolidation of the Swedish automaker's $65 million media account. Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/Euro RSCG here is the incumbent creative agency. Though roster changes are not imminent, a client representative acknowledged that Ford "could provide Volvo with tremendous clout" in the marketplace. Volvo bids its media out to various buying services each year. Ford Motor Media, a unit of J. Walter Thompson, handles all Ford media buying, including its Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Jaguar and Mazda nameplates. OgilvyOne Launches New Unit NEW YORK--OgilvyOne Worldwide has launched The Channel Practice, a new unit that will develop and manage "channel allocation" for clients' marketing communications programs via the Internet, e-mail, fax and direct mail. Nicholas Coutts comes from client IBM to head the unit, which will have offices in London and Paris. Separately, OgilvyOne this week opens for business in Japan. FCB Cuts 40 Positions in Chicago CHICAGO--Foote, Cone & Belding has trimmed its staff here by about 6 percent, giving pink slips to 40 employees. Agency president Brian Williams said the layoffs across all departments and levels will fund a "reinvestment of resources" in FCB's direct and promotional marketing staff. The shop recently acquired database/direct agency CM Partners in Rolling Meadows, Ill. Williams said other acquisitions are under consideration. FTC Drops Joe Camel Suit WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Federal Trade Commission last week dropped charges against R.J. Reynolds after suing the cigarette maker over its "Joe Camel" ad campaign. The FTC determined the $206 billion settlement between RJR, other tobacco companies and 46 states accomplishes what the lawsuit intended--a definitive end to the "Old Joe" cartoon character. AirTouch, CME Finally Connect CHICAGO--AirTouch Cellular has named Campbell Mithun Esty winner of its $100 million consumer advertising and promotions account, four months after final presentations. The task had been split among six regional agencies. The San Francisco-based client's pending merger with Vodafone in London is not expected to affect the agreement with the Minneapolis shop, officials said. MediaCom, New York, won AirTouch's media duties last fall. Newswire Roundup Grey Advertising's MediaCom, New York, won a $50 million media planning and buying assignment from Seagram Americas, beating fellow roster shop TBWA/Chiat/Day, New York, and one undisclosed contender. MediaCom landed duties for all advertised Seagram brands except Absolut vodka, which remains at TBWA/C/D The Lowe Group has formed a new global board for Lowe & Partners Worldwide, to reflect the shop's growth to 90 offices and $4 billion in billings. Frank Lowe, Lowe Group chairman/CEO, and Lee Garfinkel, chairman/chief creative officer at Lowe & Partners/SMS in New York, are members The Earle Palmer Brown Cos. have acquired direct agency DMTG, New York, which claims nearly $12 million in billings. Terms were not disclosed. DMTG's 15 employees will relocate to EPB's New York office The Morrison Agency, Atlanta, won the $8 million ad account of Exide Electronics, Raleigh, N.C., a maker of surge protectors used primarily in computer networks. The shop defeated two unnamed contenders. Rockett Burkhead Lewis & Winslow, Atlanta, the 10-year incumbent, retains public relations duties BBDO Houston has added the national and local sales promotion business of Shell Oil Co. The agency handles those chores for Texaco, Shell's partner in a local retail marketing and refining joint venture. The incumbent was Louis London, St. Louis Delaney Fletcher Bozell, the London office of Bozell Worldwide, has won the $3 million ad account of FTSE International, a joint venture of the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange. Bozell won the creative and strategic planning task after a review that included Grey Advertising and Ogilvy & Mather, both London. RCL Communications in London has media duties Big Imagination Group, Marina del Rey, Calif., bested two undisclosed Los Angeles shops to capture AST Computer's $2-3 million account Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide chairwoman/CEO Shelly Lazarus was nominated as the next chairwoman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. She will succeed Pat McGrath, chairman/CEO of Jordan McGrath Case & Partners/ Euro RSCG. Phil Dusenberry, chairman of BBDO in New York, succeeds Lazarus as vice chairman Frierson Mee + Kraft, New York, next month will launch a $5 million print and outdoor effort for Maidenform tagged, "Perfecting the real you."

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