TBWA Aims For Stake In Standard

U.S. Suitor Hopes to Shift Duties on Apple to the Japanese Shop
LOS ANGELES–TBWA International is moving closer to establishing a significant presence in Japan by negotiating to purchase a stake in Standard Advertising there, sources said last week.
TBWA is bidding to buy a minority stake–estimated at between 20-40 percent–in the Tokyo-based ad agency, said sources. The terms of the deal would give TBWA the opportunity to increase its stake to a controlling majority at a later date.
Executives at TBWA and the privately held Standard either declined to comment or could not be reached at press time.
If TBWA is successful in its bid, the agency would shift duties for Apple Computer’s estimated $20 million Japanese ad account to Standard from its ally Hakuhodo, said sources.