BENSIMON*BYRNE, DMB&B MERGE
By Adnews Staff
The Toronto office of D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, a long-time subject of merger rumors, is combining its operations with Toronto agency Bensimon*Byrne. Officials at the two companies would not disclose the financial terms of the deal. According to a joint press release, the combined revenues of the two firms will exceed $12 million in 1997. Under the agreement, Jack Bensimon will become president of the new agency, which will carry the name Bensimon*Byrne/DMB&B. Peter Byrne will become chief creative officer. The combined firm will continue to operate as part of DMB&B Communications. Jack Bensimon told Adnews the new agency would have to drop two of Bensimon*Byrne's former clients because of conflicts with DMB&B's client list. Cough syrup manufacturer W.K. Buckley Ltd. and National Tilden Car Rental will be dropped because of conflicts with Procter & Gamble's Vicks cough products and Enterprise Rent-a-Car respectively. Bensimon said the combined agency will move into DMB&B's current offices. He anticipates there will be no changes to staff. "If anything we may have to hire," he said. Clients of the new agency will include Procter & Gamble, Blockbuster Video, Black's Photography and Spectrum United Mutual Funds.