Venue Remains In Game but Has Less of Nicklaus

The Nicklaus Golf Equipment account review limped across the finish line last week, victimized by a budget cut.
According to client official Andrew York, co-incumbent Venue, Riviera Beach, Fla., will create advertising on a project basis. Media Horizons, Stamford, Conn., will continue to handle media. The budget, projected to top $5 million in 1998, was cut to an undisclosed level. Nicklaus now spends around $2 million.
Original contenders included Hollywood Cows in Orlando, Fla. (the other incumbent); Cliff Freeman and Partners and Mad Dogs & Englishmen, both in New York; Leonard/Monahan, Providence, R.I.; Partners & Simons, Boston; GSD&M, Austin, Texas; Ground Zero, Santa Monica, Calif.; and Black Rocket, San Francisco. –Jim Osterman