THIRTEEN RACING TO GET INTO THE POOL
By Adnews Staff
Thirteen agencies are vying to be part of the Ontario Government's pool of ad agencies. The Toronto agencies on the short list are: Bowen & Binstock, The Communiqué Group, Cossette Communication-Marketing, The Cundari Group, Gee, Jeffery & Partners Advertising, The Gingko Group, MacPhee Jesson, Montana Steele Advertising, Padulo Integrated, Ryan Edwards and Scott Thornley & Associates. Thomas Crncich & Partners of London and Weaver, Tanner & Miller of Kitchener are also short listed for the business. The budget on the account is $1.5 million. The Ontario government decided to use a pool of ad agencies instead of hiring different ones for various departments because ad budgets are shrinking and it wanted to streamline the process for short timelines. In addition, departments will be able to obtain the services of an agency quickly without the cost of a competition. At least four agencies are expected to be in the pool. Presentations are being made next week. Major government ad programs such as Foodland Ontario will continue to use the regular review process.