B COM3 GROUP LIGHTS THE WAY WITH BEACON
By Adnews Staff
Chicago-based B Com3 Group Inc., which counts the Leo Burnett and D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowels networks among its holdings, has announced the formation of a joint venture in Japan. Effective October 1, 2000, the combined operations of Leo Burnett and D'Arcy will be called Beacon. The new company will be based in Tokyo. Tokyo-based Dentsu Inc., which holds a 20% stake in B Com3, is expected to hold an equity stake in the new venture as well. Beacon will be headed up by Phil Rubel as president. Rubel was previously president of D'Arcy's Japan operations. Assisting in transition is Phil Fiebig, president of Leo Burnett in Tokyo. Fiebig will be relocating to another B Com3 operation by the end of the year. Leo Burnett's creative chief Alex Lopez and D'Arcy creative chief, Masaki Shimasaki, will assume the roles of co-chief creative officers at Beacon. B Com3 is the holding company formed as a result of the merger between The Leo Group of Chicago and The MacManus Group of New York.