Newswire

CDC Taps Saatchi for $125 Mil. Account

ATLANTA—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named Saatchi & Saatchi lead agency for its $125 million youth campaign. The New York shop, which fielded a support team that included fellow Publicis Groupe agencies Zenith Media, Frankel and Publicis Dialog, defeated an Omnicom-led coalition headed by DDB in Seattle. The decision, originally expected Sept. 15, was delayed by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Boston Beer Mulls 6 for $30 Mil. in Media Duties

LOS ANGELES—Six media agencies are competing for Boston Beer’s estimated $30 million media buying and planning account, sources said. They are the New York offices of Publicis’ Zenith Media; Aegis’ Carat; IPG’s Initiative Media; independent Media First; and WPP media networks The Media Edge and MindShare. The client will visit agencies next week, sources said. The incumbent, Grey’s MediaCom in New York, resigned the account after winning Diageo’s beer and spirits business. Big Chair in New York was named Boston Beer’s new creative shop last week.

Davidandgoliath Wins $30-40 Mil. Theme-Parks Biz

LOS ANGELES—Universal Studios has awarded davidandgoliath its $30-40 million theme-parks creative account, aimed at generating attendance at two attractions in Orlando, Fla. The shop edged out finalist The Richards Group in Dallas. A client representative said the work will focus on Orlando’s Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. Incumbent Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmet terer/Euro RSCG in New York did not participate. DDB Entertainment in Los Angeles continues to handle media.

Modem Media Shuts N.Y. Office, Cuts Staff

NEW YORK—Modem Media is closing its New York office and is downsizing its global work force of 616 by 7 percent. The Manhattan office’s remaining staff and clients, Delta Airlines and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will be consolidated at the agency’s Norwalk, Conn., headquarters.

Y&R Resigns From $20 Mil. Adobe Review

SAN FRANCISCO—Incumbent Young & Rubicam in San Francisco has withdrawn from the $20 million Adobe Systems pitch, the agency confirmed. Those still in the review, which is being handled by West Hollywood, Calif.-based Select Resources International, are Deutsch/LA in Marina del Rey, Calif., and Black Rocket/Euro RSCG and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, both in San Francisco. Creative presentations are due to take place in October.

Lowe Lintas Bows Campaign for Verizon

NEW YORK—In its first campaign for Verizon Communications, Lowe Lintas & Partners has created four TV spots that tout Verizon’s “simple” long-distance plans and “fair rate promise.” One spot depicts a junior-high-school boy calling a girl and playing recorded music that expresses his attraction to her. The spots, the first of which broke last week, bow the tagline, “It’s your life. It’s your call.” The campaign also includes print ads and direct mail via sister Interpublic Group of Cos. shop Draft in New York. Media is handled by Zenith Media in New York. Verizon consolidated ad duties at Lowe Lintas in April. At the time, billings were estimated at $300-400 million.

Lexus Launches ES 300 Spots

LOS ANGELES—Lexus this week breaks a campaign touting its entry-level luxury car, the redesigned ES 300. Created by Team One in El Segundo, Calif., ads feature the new line, “Welcome to a new world of luxury.” TV spots, shot in Spain, feature individuals such as a saddlemaker who is knowledgeable about leather and craftsmanship and a little boy who wonders at the technology. The campaign includes four 30-second TV spots, print, outdoor, online and in-theater ads. Spending was undisclosed. Lexus spent roughly $15 million advertising the Lexus ES in 2000, according to CMR.

DDB Debuts First Work for Dell

CHICAGO—DDB in Chicago this week breaks its first work for Dell Computer since winning the $200 million account in April, following a review. Three TV spots continue the tagline, “Easy as Dell,” and break during Monday Night Football. Shot in black and white, the spots show Dell computer systems with a male voiceover talking from the computer’s perspective. The account was previously split between BBDO, which handled corporate image, and Lowe Lintas & Partners, which handled retail.

Newswire Roundup

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has put its $10-15 million account into review without inviting incumbent Foote, Cone & Belding. Chicago consultancy Jones Lundin Beals is handling the search, a representative for the Chicago-based client said. The review was prompted by “a new advertising team and strategic advertising direction,” according to a client statement. … Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos in San Francisco has won the estimated $10-15 million Red Roof Inns account, besting TBWA\Chiat\Day in Playa del Rey, Calif., Cramer-Krasselt in Chicago and DeVito/Verdi in New York. Incumbent The Richards Group in Dallas did not participate. … Converse tapped Duffy Design for an overhaul of the North Reading, Mass., company’s brand. Billings were undisclosed. Converse’s last agencies were Arnold in Boston and Pyro Brand Development in Dallas. The company filed for Chapter 11 earlier this year and was subsequently acquired by Footwear Acquisition. … LoJack has launched a review for its ad account. Incumbent Greenberg Seronick O’Leary & Partners in Boston will defend. Sources said the budget will be in the $6-10 million range. Pile and Co. in Boston is overseeing the process.