VOLKSWAGEN SHIFTS MEDIA BUSINESS TO V&B
By Adnews Staff
Volkswagen of America, based in Auburn Hills, MI, has moved its Canadian media planning and buying account to Vickers & Benson Arnold Inc. of Toronto. The appointment is effective May 1, 2001. Vickers & Benson Arnold is part of Boston-based Arnold Worldwide Partners. Arnold handles Volkswagen's media business in the U.S. The Canadian business was previously handled by Toronto's Genesis Media. Bruce Claassen, Genesis' president and chief executive officer, said the company had made a decision to become part of an international communications company and a consequence of that decision meant Genesis would no longer be able to work with Volkswagen. Genesis had handled the company's media for the past six years. Claassen said additional details, including the name of the company, will be announced within the near future once all clients had been informed. Volkswagen Canada is based in Ajax, Ontario.