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Y&R Wins $95 Mil. in Global ChevronTexaco DutiesNEW YORK—ChevronTexaco Corp. last week awarded global creative duties on its retail-product advertising, estimated to be worth $95 million in billings, to WPP Group's Young & Rubicam, following a review that included Bates, Brouillard Communications and Campbell Mithun. Y&R had handled retail ads in the U.S. It picks up duties in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, the Middle East and Africa. Global media duties will be handled by sister shop Mediaedge:cia and Wunderman will handle direct marketing. Mediaedge:cia also landed global duties on ChevronTexaco's corporate-image advertising. Creative duties remain up for grabs, with a decision due this week. IPG's Woes Play Role in Bahamas DecisionCHICAGO—Concerns about Interpublic Group's financial woes contributed to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's decision to award its $10-15 million account to Fallon in New York, sources said. The client was poised to hire IPG's Mullen in Wenham, Mass. But due in part to the parent company's travails, it instead selected Fallon, a Publicis Groupe agency that had been cut earlier, said sources. The other finalist was Martin/Williams in Minneapolis. Tourism officials and IPG could not be reached. Y&R Launches New Dr Pepper EffortNEW YORK—WPP's Y&R this week launches a Dr Pepper campaign with a spot that includes fallen rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC. The spot, one of three new executions, unfolds like a music video, with break dancing and rapping. With Run-DMC nearby, LL Cool J raps about the greatness of the group. Other spots mix Anastasia with Cyndi Lauper and Paulina Rubio with "Queen of Salsa" Celia Cruz. The tagline remains, "Be you." Miller's 'Catfight' Causes ControversyCHICAGO—Miller Brewing's TV spot "Catfight," which features two women in a mud fight over whether Miller Lite tastes great or is less filling, has generated some complaints, but Miller doesn't plan on changing the spot, the company said. The ad, from Ogilvy & Mather in New York, has been airing this month. It was debated on CNN's Crossfire with James Carville, where the founder of a group called Savior's Alliance for Lifting the Truth said she found the spot "utterly offensive." Carville thought the spot was "brilliant." IPG Eyes Sale of NFO Research FirmNEW YORK—IPG last week confirmed that it had hired Goldman Sachs to "explore strategic alternatives" for its NFO WorldGroup market-research firm. IPG is thinking about selling the specialty operation, in part to increase cash flow but also because it's not considered a core offering, sources said. In a statement, IPG said its lenders had extended the deadline for renegotiating the terms of its major credit agreements with the holding company from Jan. 15 to Feb. 10. McDonald's Sets Major Marketing SummitCHICAGO—McDonald's has summoned 10 of its global ad agencies, including lead U.S. shops DDB in Chicago and Leo Burnett, to a meeting in early February to work on a new branding plan. McDonald's is expected to move to a campaign that revolves around the restaurant experience. During the meeting, the brand's top 10 global agencies will be charged with developing new advertising. Burnett Readies for Philips BusinessCHICAGO—Burnett will staff its estimated $250 million global Philips account with former members of D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, as well as employees from its own network. Duties for the Amsterdam, Netherlands-based company's appliance, medical-systems, lighting and personal-care divisions had been handled by D'Arcy since 1990, but were shifted after new parent Publicis opted to shut down the network. The business will be managed out of Burnett's London, Chicago and Hong Kong offices.GE Breaks $100 Mil. CampaignNEW YORK—General Electric launched a $100 million campaign on Sunday with the tagline, "Imagination at work," from the client's longtime agency, Omnicom Group's BBDO in New York. The TV, print and interactive campaign seeks to raise awareness of the company's innovations beyond those in home appliances. It is the first branding campaign under GE CEO Jeff Immelt, who succeeded Jack Welch in 2001. BBDO has been GE's agency since 1920. Newswire roundupWPP's Red Cell acquired a 49 percent stake in London agency HHCL, owned by Chime. HHCL will join the Red Cell network in Europe, the agencies said. Chime retains 51 percent of the shop. HHCL's management will report to Red Cell CEO Lee Daley. … Meijer next month will hear from four shops vying for its $25 million account, with a decision due in February. Contending are incumbent Meyer and Wallis in Milwaukee; Campbell-Ewald in Warren, Mich.; Doner in Southfield, Mich.; and Grey in New York, sources said. … Orbitz is talking to three Chicago agencies about its $30 million creative account; the shops include Burnett, Element 79, and Y&R, sources said. Incumbent Fusion Idea Lab in Chicago is not defending. … Nikon will hear pitches for its $20 million account from three finalists next month: IPG shops Bozell and McCann-Erickson, both in New York; as well as Havas' Arnold in Boston. A decision is due in February. … DDB in Chicago is handling a creative assignment for Wm. Wrigley Co.'s $30 million Extra gum brand, the client said, in a rare but not unprecedented incursion onto lead Wrigley agency BBDO Chicago's turf. Sources said DDB is charged with coming up with a core creative idea for Extra, and BBDO will handle extensions. Wrigley spends about $130 million annually ads for its gum brands, according to CMR.

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