OMNICOM LAUNCHES OMD USA
By Adnews Staff
New York-based Omnicom Group, Inc. is launching its global media specialist OMD Optimum Media Direction in the U.S. OMD USA will provide broadcast media buying, research and other specialty media services to Omnicom's three advertising networks: BBDO, DDB and TBWA Chiat/Day. Steve Grubbs will head up OMD USA as managing partner and chief executive officer. Grubbs was most recently executive vice president, national TV buying for BBDO New York. OMD was formed in Europe in 1996 and currently operates in 30 countries including Canada, France and Hong Kong. National TV buyers of BBDO, DDB and TBWA will become employees of OMD USA as well as the local broadcast buyers at DDB and TBWA. BBDO's local media network will continue to operate separately. All media planning employees of the three agency networks will continue at their current agencies.