Nextel Communications Eyes 6 Shops

BOSTON Nextel Communications has cut the list of agencies vying for its $150 million account to six, according to sources.

Still in contention are Interpublic Group’s Deutsch; Omnicom’s TBWA\Chiat\Day; and WPP Group’s J. Walter Thompson, all in New York; Publicis’ Leo Burnett, Chicago; Havas’ Arnold, Boston; and incumbent Mullen, Wenham, Mass., an IPG shop, sources said. Not advancing were Omnicom’s DDB, New York, and Publicis’ Fallon, Minneapolis, according to sources. Two undisclosed shops that submitted the RFP about a week ago may also have been cut or chosen not to move forward.

Agency executives either declined comment or could not be reached. A client representative declined comment. The review is being managed for the Reston, Va., client by Roth Associates, New York, which did not return calls.