After Losing $40 Million New Business
Pitch, Dailey & Associates Takes
Solace In Learning They Were "A
Close Second."
LOS ANGELES— In a agency meeting last week, Dailey & Associates' Cliff Einstein gave staffers the bad news that the account they had pitched had indeed gone to another shop. The bit of depressing news was immediately followed by the announcement that "it was a very tough decision and we were a close second." Einstein went on to tell his agency that they had done a terrific job on the pitch and not being chosen was just a sign that "the client didn’t want to do the kind of breakthrough work they presented so perhaps it’s better this way." The agency is said to be quite happy about coming in a "close second" and feels they’ll surely win the next new business shootout.

BBDO Assures Cingular That Nebulous
Brand Campaign Just Needs More
Time To Sink In.
NEW YORK— Months after launching Cingular Wireless, BBDO re-assured its nervous client that the brand campaign is working but needs time to "seed itself into the public’s psyche." "It’s too early to explain what sets Cingular apart from other wireless companies," said Ted Sann, ECD at BBDO. "Right now we just need to concentrate on making people feel good about the brand," he added. Julie McCoy, a senior marketing executive at Cingular who is skeptical about the campaign but will reluctantly go along with BBDO’s plan said, "It would be nice if people knew what we did, at least. We’re spending millions on media and no one seems to know what we’re all about. But I guess BBDO knows best."

Kia On Pace To Sell 5 Cars
This Month.
LOS ANGELES—The new Kia advertising by davidandgoliath seems to be working. Kia spokesperson told reporters this week that by month’s end the struggling carmaker estimates sales to be in the 5 or 6 range, beating out analysts’ projections of between 2 and 3 sales for March. David Angelo, President of davidandgoliath, said, "We can’t take all the credit for the spur in sales, but I can’t say that the advertising didn’t have at least something to do with it." Kia hopes to build on this month’s success with a whopping goal of 10 sales for April.

BBDO/SF CD Ken Mandlebaum Still
Using Print Ads Created 15 Years Ago
As "The Bar."
SAN FRANCISCO— BBDO San Francisco CD Ken Mandlebaum has issued a mandate to his creative department. In an internal meeting he told his staffers that "the work has to get better or there are going to be some changes." He then opened a large portfolio and began pinning ads he’d done 15 years earlier on the wall. "This is what I’m talking about, people," pointing to his own ads for a bike company and clothing label. "This is the bar," he emphasized. After the meeting creatives huddled scratching their heads. "I mean they were okay," said one anonymous writer, adding, "But geez, they’re 15 fucking years old."