Aloha from Portland,
Let’s start with this. Go ahead and pick a show with plenty of plot twists. You have classics like Falcon’s Crest and Dallas (for those of us of a certain age … don’t judge). Then, there’s Alias, Walking Dead and Grey’s Anatomy. Ooh, how about Scandal? That’s got twists and turns all over the place.
The battle for the U.S. Army’s advertising business was kind of like that show, but not nearly as entertaining. In a final coup de grace, WPP’s Possible dropped the last of its bid protests so that Team DDB can take on its new role as AOR.
According to Patrick Coffee, who reported masterfully throughout the saga from the very beginning, “Oy.”
In all seriousness, though, the development of Possible’s withdrawal now gets the long-running drama between the new agency, WPP and former incumbent McCann, to a finish line of sorts. While there was technically one winner of the $4 billion business, it was a slog.
We get it. It’s business. Business is messy, and no agency with that long a tenure with one client wants to let it all go without a fight. But, mercifully, it’s finally over.
Speaking of client moves: UPS is heading to IPG. Without a review.
Carl's Jr. has also placed its account in review for the second time in just over a year after going through at least two rounds of reinvention. The twist? Sister brand Hardee's will sit this one out.
In happier news: Ranch dressing! Zach Braff! Some fun stuff from mcgarrybowen.
Checked out our Super Bowl Ad Tracker lately? It’s probably a good idea to sneak a peek at who is in and out … and which ads are already out there.
Doing some good: Work & Co helped Planned Parenthood out with a new chatbot that seeks to close the sex education gap in America.
Quelle bonne nouvelle! Publicis Groupe was the top generator of new biz revenue in 2018 followed by WPP, Omnicom and Dentsu Aegis. Does this mean Cannes entries??!!!
The headline of the Week: This KFC Gravy Candle Will Give Your Home the Rich, Meaty Aromatherapy It Deserves. (Mother London with the work, by the way.)
Oh, and while we have you over here, we invite you to visit our sister site, AgencySpy, for more news and tidbits from the agency world. If you’re already an avid reader, we thank you for your patronage and support.
We’ll see you back here next week. And, as always, feel free to share your agency news with us—I can be reached at doug dot zanger at adweek dot com.
Warm Regards,
Doug Zanger
Senior Editor, Creativity + Agencies
