- Andrew McMains

Three agencies are preparing for final presentations in a review of direct marketing duties on Volkswagen of America's advertising account.

Sources identified the finalists as Interpublic Group's Draftfcb in Chicago, WPP Group's G2 in New York and independent Harte-Hanks Direct in Yardley, Penn. Account revenue is estimated at more than $3 million.

Final pitches are slated for early December, with a decision expected shortly thereafter. The agencies either declined to comment or could not be reached.

It was not immediately clear which shops have handled the bulk of VW's direct marketing chores in the past. The Herndon, Va.-based client confirmed the review and the number of finalists, but declined to comment further.

The review comes on the heels of a review for lead creative duties won by Interpublic's Deutsch/LA in Marina del Rey, Calif.

The other contenders for that account -- with estimated revenue of more than $15 million -- were Omnicom Group units DDB in New York and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco and independent Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore. Roth Associates in New York helped manage the lead creative agency search. Media duties remained at WPP's MediaCom in New York.


Nielsen Business Media