GOODYEAR TO CONTINUE RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADIAN AGENCIES
By Adnews Staff
Goodyear Canada Inc.'s relationship with its advertising agencies Due North Communications in Toronto and Martel et Compagnie Publicite in Montreal will not change as a result of the agency review being conducted in the U.S. by parent Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., based in Akron, OH. The agency search is for Goodyear's tire account. Previously the account was handled by J. Walter Thompson of Detroit. JWT was initially participating in the review but withdrew earlier this year. The company has made an initial list of six agencies, said Jim Davis, manager of marketing and PR support for Goodyear Tire & Rubber. From that list three agencies will probably be chosen as finalists, he said, with a decision expected by the end of March. Ian McIntosh, director of advertising and marketing services for Toronto-based Goodyear Canada, said the review does not, in any way, change the company's relationship with its agencies north of the border. Goodyear has been working with Due North and Martel for almost ten years. Between 1995 and 2000 Goodyear Canada picked up some advertising from the U.S. but starting this year, plans on doing its own work, McIntosh said.