A number of US accounts have been put up for review:
* Verizon Information Services, part of Verizon Communications, is seeking a new agency for its US SuperPages business directory arm. The client wants a shop “that can handle the full spectrum of integrated marketing, from broadcast to direct mail” to replace Deutsch, whose recent win of MCI Group’s consumer business was deemed to be in conflict with the SuperPages duties. Billings stood at $16.5 million from January to October last year.
* The $35m–$40m television and direct marketing duties of technical education group DeVry are up for grabs. Currently handling the account is Brown Marketing Communications in Chicago.
* UK-headquartered electrical appliance manufacturer Dyson is seeking two agencies (one creative; one media) to handle its $40m launch stateside. Four unnamed shops are thought to be in the running for the creative brief. The review does not affect UK incumbents Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy and Walker Media.
Meanwhile, five agencies have been shortlisted by French petroleum group TotalFinaElf to handle its new corporate communications business, designed to improve the company’s image following a recent series of scandals.
The quintet are Leagas Delaney Paris Centre, TBWA Worldwide, BETC Euro RSCG and D’Arcy (all in Paris), plus Harrison Wolf, the public relations giant in charge of the group’s crisis communications.
Finally, auto makers Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America have set up a new venture branded World Marketing Group to keep tabs on Carat North America’s handling of their US media duties.
Based in Fountain Valley, California, the unit will be headed by Kenny Han, formerly marketing coordinator for South Korean parent Hyundai Motor.
The duo are also holding a US creative review, in which ten semifinalists have been picked. Billings are estimated at $160m.
Data sourced from: AdAgeGlobal.com; AdAge.com; AdWeek.com; additional content by WARC staff
