- B COM3 Consolidates Media Operations
NEW YORK--B COM3 will consolidate most of its overseas media operations under a new holding company, Starcom MediaVest Group. Starcom CEO Jack Klues and COO Bob Brennan will retain their titles within the holding company. MediaVest COO Kevin Malloy will become CEO, MediaVest North America, and evp of international operations for Starcom MediaVest. MediaVest chairman and CEO Michael Moore will retire July 1, but will hold a seat on the holding company's board.
- Heller Ascends on Burger King Account
NEW YORK--Lowe Lintas & Partners here has named a new top account executive on its Burger King business, following the departure of evp, general manager Nancy McNally. Matt Heller, 40, was promoted to evp worldwide client director from evp managing director. McNally left the agency last month, and Heller's ascension was expected [Adweek, March 27]. His BK experience spans two agencies--J. Walter Thompson and Lowe Lintas--and several campaigns, including "Get your burger's worth," "It just tastes better" and the current, "Got the urge?" He will report to Rob Quish, president of the New York office.
- Cartel Takes J.C. Penney's $10-15 Mil. Hispanic Biz
DALLAS--Cartel Creativo has retained J. C. Penney's $10-15 million Hispanic account in the wake of a general review that included multicultural pitches. The win is expected to create new ties between Cartel and Penney's new general market agency, DDB, Chicago. The $48 million San Antonio, Texas, agency is currently teamed with Leo Burnett, Chicago, in its pitch for the U.S. Army.
- Duda Leaves Deutsch for Rapp Collins
NEW YORK--Mike Duda has left Deutsch here to steer new business efforts at Rapp Collins Worldwide. Duda, 28, spent two years at Deutsch, most recently as vp, business development. At Rapp, he becomes svp, director of business development. Reflecting on his new shop, Duda said: "They're quietly getting results. I don't think they're going to be quiet in the future." He added, "We're going to build a department, build a machine that makes sense."
- HMS Merges With Hallmark/Tassone
CHICAGO--HMS Partners is merging with Hallmark/Tassone to form a new agency, HMS Hallmark. Columbus, Ohio-based HMS Partners will be the holding company for the shop, which will have offices in Columbus and Pittsburgh, where Hallmark/Tassone was based. Rick Milenthal will become CEO of the holding company; Bill Binstock takes over as CEO of the agency.
- Allendale Taps Whittle
ATLANTA--Allendale Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the Today contraceptive sponge, has chosen Williams Whittle to relaunch the once-popular birth control device. The over-the-counter sponge has been off the market since 1994. The Alexandria, Va., agency's $3 million print campaign kicks off later this year in women's magazines.
- Air Force Launches $50 Mil. Review
DALLAS--The U.S. Air Force has issued a request for proposals for its $50 million advertising account, currently with Bozell Kamstra Texas. Like other branches of the armed forces, the Air Force is seeking to change its current contract to one based on performance incentives. The 78-page RFP is particularly detailed, specifying even the font style and size that must be employed when responding, agency sources said. The Irving, Texas-based incumbent is defending the business.
- MTV Rewards Modernista!
BOSTON--MTV has hired Modernista! for a branding assignment following a review. It had been believed that Modernista!, Boston, had lost out to Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Miami [Adweek, April 17]. DiNoto Lee, New York, also competed. Last year, MTV spent $8 million on ads, per Competitive Media Reporting.
- Kirshenbaum Fills Media Director Post
NEW YORK--Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners has promoted David Heller to vp, media director. Heller, 35, who joined the agency in August as associate media director, assumes duties previously held by recently departed associate partner, group media director Barry Lowenthal. Heller reports to president and managing partner Rosemarie Ryan.
- Newswire Roundup
BBDO, New York, promoted Rich Kronengold to the newly created position of chief marketing officer from evp. Alberto-Culver International tapped Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper, London, to handle creative chores for its St. Ives brand. Global billings for the brand are $30 million. Royal Caribbean International named The Chisholm-Mingo Group, New York, its African American marketing agency. Httprint, an online marketplace for the global printing industry, has split its $20 million account between incumbent M. Gould & Co., San Francisco, a division of McCann-Erickson Relationship Marketing, and BBDO in Brussels, Belgium. Online sporting goods retailer Gear.com picked Goldberg Moser O'Neill/Hill, Holliday, San Francisco, to handle its $7 million account, the first win for the shop since it merged with Boston-based Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos. Specialty Brands is considering Campbell Mithun Esty, Minneapolis, Euro RSCG Tatham, Chicago, and DDB, Dallas, for its $3.5 million account. Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy, Charlotte, N.C., has resigned the Motorola Two-Way Radio account, citing "cultural and philosophical differences."