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Berlin, Cameron Allies With DeWitt Media NEW YORK--New agency Berlin, Cameron & Partners here has formed a strategic alliance with DeWitt Media, New York. The deal calls for DeWitt to buy media for existing BC&P clients as well as partner in new business pitches. The move will allow the startup, whose clients include the National Basketball Association, Coca-Cola Co. and NBC, to position itself as a full-service shop to prospective clients. BC&P was born earlier this month by Andy Berlin, Ewen Cameron and five other executives formerly with Fallon McElligott Berlin. McCann Retains AT&T Until March SAN FRANCISCO--Executives at AT&T Wireless Services have asked McCann-Erickson here to continue working on its account through March 31, 1998, despite an earlier decision by parent AT&T Corp. to eliminate the agency's San Francisco and New York offices from its roster, according to agency executives. Sources said McCann was asked to remain on the business because Foote, Cone & Belding does not yet have the infrastructure in place to handle the retail-intensive account. FCB also needs time to staff up for its recent wins of Taco Bell's field marketing assignment and the 3Com account, as well as reorganize the creative department to handle the Levi's pitch, sources said. AT&T Corp. earlier said FCB's San Francisco office would take over the estimated $90 million wireless services account. Nike Execs Deny Talks With Shops LOS ANGELES--Despite reports that Nike has been talking with various agencies outside of its roster to handle its new Michael Jordan line of shoes, company executives have denied that any discussions took place. "It is absolutely untrue," said Nike's director of U.S. advertising Chris Zimmerman. "We have no plans to make any changes in our agency roster." Two weeks ago, Nike said that roster shops Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco and Wieden & Kennedy in Portland, Ore., were equals on branding efforts [Adweek, Nov. 17]. Langer Plays Creative Role for Braun NEW YORK--Andy Langer, vice chairman of The Lowe Group here, who runs the network's worldwide Braun account, served as creative director on Lowe's new shaver campaign that broke on Sunday. "Now I remember why I went into this business," said Langer, an art director by training who has not created an ad in about a decade. The campaign, produced by Lowe Howard-Spink in London, is tagged: "Braun. Smart thinking." It features a young man allowing his mind to wander to subjects such as women and sports because Braun has thought about shaving. Arnold Tapped for Polaroid Assignment BOSTON--Arnold Communications has begun a relationship with Polaroid. The Boston agency has been tapped to provide national promotions and events support. Arnold's first assignment is to support the introduction of a new instant camera and film system in the fourth quarter of 1998. Polaroid's lead agency, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco, will handle national advertising for the initiative. Michigan Ford Dealers Are Next to Search DETROIT--The Greater Michigan Ford Dealer Association said it intends to hold an open review for its $10 million account, one of several Ford dealer assignments resigned by W.B. Doner & Co., Southfield, Mich., after it won the Mazda national creative account. The association said it likely will consider all interested agencies that have automotive experience, not just those on Ford's preapproved list. Ford dealers in the Southwest and New England have already begun their searches. Valvoline Reviews Oil Account CHICAGO--Ashland Oil's Valvoline unit is reviewing its $20-25 million motor oil account. Bozell, New York, resigned the Lexington, Ky.-based company's business. An undisclosed consultant will conduct the review. Lois/EJL, Chicago, which handles regional Valvoline advertising, will be included. Requests for proposals have not yet been sent to other possible contenders, said Valvoline ad director Marsha Koller. Adweek's Best Spots: Call for Entries NEW YORK--Adweek is accepting entries for the best TV commercials of 1997. The winners, selected by Adweek editors, will be named in January. Spots that first aired in 1997 are eligible. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31. Submit entries to: Adweek's Best Spots of the Year, 1515 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, N.Y. 10036 Attn: Nancy Sobel. For more information, call (212) 536-6453. Newswire Roundup Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners in New York has dropped out of the estimated $25-30 million Fruit of the Loom review, said sources WPP Group has agreed to acquire about 37 percent of Australia's Batey Holdings, which owns just over 80 percent of Singapore-based Batey Ads. WPP has the option to own all of Batey Holdings by 2002 as it seeks to expand its Asia-Pacific presence Major League Soccer, New York, has narrowed its search for a Hispanic agency to Dieste & Partners in Dallas and Castor Advertising in New York W.B. Doner & Co., Southfield, Mich., was named agency of record for Imperial Tobacco's Mercer natural tobacco cigarettes in the U.S. Billings are estimated at $2 million. The Montreal-based company said Bozell Worldwide and Partners & Shevack, both New York, were among the six agencies considered PSINet Inc., Herndon, Va., has placed its $3-4 million account into review, the client confirmed last week. Incumbent Arnold Communications in McLean, Va., will defend the business The Pro Bowlers Association has narrowed the review for its account to two shops: Holland Advertising and Partners & Shevack, both New York Diesel Footwear has awarded its estimated $4-5 million U.S. and overseas account to Saatchi & Saatchi Pacific in Torrance, Calif., following a review.

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