Rover is drawing up a list of agencies to pitch for next year’s
relaunch of the Mini. The carmarker said it would consider roster and
non-roster shops for the account, which conflicts with Vauxhall at the
newly merged Lowe Lintas & Partners.
Saatchi & Saatchi has denied reports that it is in merger talks with
True North Communications and Grey Advertising. However, its chairman,
Bob Seelert, claimed that a collaboration with Grey was possible in
terms of media buying for some clients.
The National Dairy Council has shortlisted Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Rainey
Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R and the incumbent, BMP DDB, to pitch for its
account.
Lexus has shortlisted BBDO Paris, Brussels-based BLD, HHCL & Partners
and Tam One, a US division of Saatchi & Saatchi, to work on its European
advertising alongside its existing agencies.
Philip Palazzo, who was president of international operations at
Ammirati Puris Lintas before its merger with Lowe & Partners, has quit
in order to pursue his own projects. He has worked with APL for 20
years.
Conquest has been appointed to handle ihavemoved.com, a free online
service for home movers. The agency won the business, backed by a
reported pounds 3 million budget, in a pitch against M&C Saatchi and the
Relationship Marketing Group.
Grey is adding another ’agency within an agency’ to its organisation
with the creation of a new unit to handle its Pedigree petfood business.
The so-called Purple Grey agency will be headed by Susan Ball, currently
joint head of Yellow Grey. John Bacon, the former FCB creative director,
will be its creative chief.
The Committee of Advertising Practice is launching a website to help
advertisers, agencies and media owners ensure that all non-broadcast ads
comply with its rules. Its address is www.cap.org.uk.
The fledgling Hugh Salmon & Partners has appointed Samantha Etheridge as
head of account management services. Etheridge previously worked at
Summerfield Wilmot Keene, Momentum and DMB&B Financial.
Sue Douglas, the former editor of the Sunday Express and a senior
executive at The Sunday Business, is joining Conde Nast Online as its
director of new media, on a part-time consultancy basis. Abigail Chisman
has been made editor and will oversee the development of websites for
brands such as Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller and GQ.
The Sheffield advertising and PR agency, Paradigm, swept the board at
the National Cream Awards last week, scooping eight awards, including
Agency of the Year.
Mercedes-Benz has reappointed Maher Bird Associates to handle its
company car advertising business. The agency has also won Mercedes’
pounds 6 million used commercial vehicle business, previously held by
Buckfield Lord. Partners BDDH retains brand advertising and picks up the
used car business.
Mustoe Merriman Herring Levy has created a Christmas campaign for
confetti.co.uk, an online wedding and gift site, which breaks this
week.
Harry Turner, chairman of AMS Media Group since 1992, is to retire at
the end of the month. AMS does not plan to appoint a replacement in the
short term.
BDH TBWA re-branded CGU’s estate agency arm, GA Property Services, to
’Your Move’ this week. It is producing an advertising campaign next year
following its appointment in March.
Lowe Lintas & Partners is understood to be making redundancies this week
following the merger. Several employees across the agency have been
asked to take voluntary redundancy.