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Nascar Moves to Martin From Y&R |  |
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July 29, 2003 By Tania D. Panczyk and Alicia Griswold ADWEEK Chicago, IL - Nascar has shifted its advertising account from WPP Group's Young & Rubicam, after a three-year relationship, to Interpublic Group's Martin Agency, the client confirmed. Richmond, Va.-based Martin was one of the contenders for the business when it was awarded to Y&R in Chicago in 2000. Martin competed again in a Nascar review last year, but the client chose to keep the account with Y&R. However, executives at the Daytona Beach, Fla. stock car association said today they were impressed with Martin's promotional work for UPS sponsored Nascar work. "We've followed and admired the Martin Agency's work, especially the Race the Truck work for UPS," said client representative Rob Copeland. When Y&R won Nascar, client ad spending was estimated around $30 million. Nascar spent just $10 million last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR. From January through April, media expeditures were at a mere $3 million, according to CMR. Y&R bowed its first campaign in February 2001 with the tagline, "How bad have you got it," showing family's obsession for the sport. The work won Y&R a bronze lion at the Cannes International Advertising Festival and an Effie. "It's too bad. They were great to work with but we will survive and move on," said Mark Figliulo, Y&R's chief creative officer. The news comes just two weeks after Y&R was cut from the review to defend its Jim Beam's $20 million account. |