J. Walter Thompson

We'd be remiss to say an agency like J. Walter Thompson doesn't do anything right. Their Halloween party is proof that they know how to share the holiday spirit, er whatever, and the pudding is available via Flickr. Unfortunately, the images are what those of you in the biz call 'rights protected', so you'll have to click here to see how friggin' cute the kids of JWT are. And, I mean children of the ad-folk. Not the employees, who in most cases are also children. At least the kid in a pumpkin costume has an excuse.

More: "Halloween is Scarier Than Cigarettes"

Yesterday, it was announced that Kellogg's realigned their advertising work in Europe and Latin America, handing the assignments to Leo Burnett. The client had been with JWT for 71 years, but apparently wanted "to drive greater international consistency on their global brands" according to a memo sent to JWT staff. Speaking for the agency, CEO Bob Jeffrey emailed staff yesterday to explain what "JWT" feels about the situation. Short form: "JWT" doesn't feel good, one bit. Who wouldn't, after 71 years?

"Kellogg's have restructured their own marketing function to drive a greater degree of control from the center and felt a similar structure was necessary on the agency side," wrote Jeffrey, calling the news "disheartening". "While we understand the ambition, we are not happy and strongly disagree with their decision to move away from the agency..."

His letter went on to note the success of the Special K brand under JWT's watch, mentioned that "Kellogg's stressed that this has nothing to do with the performance of our teams, who have worked with great passion and success on the business."

Though the agency still controls the Asia Pacific business, it is not clear whether that will move as well. Today and tomorrow, the agency's top brass will discuss the implications of the loss.

"We would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly on Kellogg's over the years," Jeffrey concluded. "You've done an amazing job. This loss clearly is not about lack of performance, talent or passion."

More: "JWT Singapore at the Center of Cannes Scam Ad Snafu"

A recent post on Copyranter brings to light yet another scam ad scandal, this time involving JWT Singapore, Cannes and Australian brewer Coopers.

The campaign for Coopers Premium Light lager, which includes the questionable ad above, won a Press Bronze at the 2008 Cannes Lions. Somehow though the ads have resurfaced on various sites, prompting a Coopers rep to claim that said ads were never commissioned by the company nor ever run. Among the rep's comments: "Rest assured Coopers does not promote or condone disrespect for women under any circumstances. We are very disappointed that our product and company image would be portrayed in such a disrespectful manner. Alcohol advertising has strict guidelines that ensure we do not fall into disrepute by vilifying any sector of the community." The rep, Frank Akers, then requested that the images be removed but he obviously wasn't successful.

Adland, who gets props for apprising us of this, brings up an interesting point. Either it might be a scam or a brand rep from Australia has no clue what Singapore's doing.

Whatever the case, Cannes must now be feeling some heat after both the One Show and D&AD put their foot down about fake ads. But fake or not, the creative's tone and intent here sure reminds us of that awful Bacardi campaign from the summer.

More: "One Show President Bans Fake Ads"

JWT's honeymoon with Microsoft has apparently come to a screeching halt as the agency and its parent WPP are being sued by Delaware-based ad firm Denizen for a recent Bing spot that ties into NBC show The Philanthropist.

According to Brand Republic, Denizen met with WPP back in 2002 to discuss business ventures including program-integrated advertising and partnerships with WPP media agencies. Though talks eventually fell through, both parties signed a confidentiality agreement in 2006 to keep their convo on the QT.

Now, with The Philanthropist promo, Denizen is claiming JWT has ripped off its overall concept of melding a TV show's content and characters with advertising while also jacking proprietary information and trade secrets for creating such ads.

When pressed for comment, JWT wasn't talking, instead referring us to the powers-that-be at MS and WPP.

More: "Microsoft Office Moves from McCann to JWT"

Guy Hayward, the 180 co-founder partly responsible for Adidas' "Impossible is Nothing" effort among other things, has returned to his roots at JWT by taking on the CEO role for the agency's UK business. Hayward, who started his career as a grad trainee at JWT over twenty years ago, will oversee the agency's integrated proposition, focus on long-term creative brand building and report to JWT Europe CEO Toby Hoare.

More: "Former TBWA Prez Robert Leplae Lands at McCann"

In early April, JWT CEO Rosemarie Ryan informed the staff of the Chicago office that the location would be closing. There was one remaining shred of hope that could keep the shop open: the Illinois Board of Tourism — an account that was up for review at the time of the reported closing. Sources close to the matter tell us JWT has retained the account, meaning the Chicago location will remain open as a field office.

I was able to dig up a document from the state of Illinois services bidding Web site, which states,

"The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is giving notice of intent to award a contract resulting from the Illinois Bureau of Tourism/Marketing Commmunications Agency RFP 22016279 to JWT Chicago.

"JWT Chicago will provide advertising services to assist DCEO in the planning and execution of marketing and advertising programs to promote Illinois as a tourism destination. The marketing and advertising programs will encompass, but not be limited to, domestic and international tourism. The responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) the following: (click here for the details)."

We hear about 15 to 20 staff will remain in the office to service the account.

In a blog post published earlier this week about the apparent lack of leadership at the Chicago office of Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago Sun Times columnist Lewis Lazare wrote, "It has been apparent for some time that (O&M's) game plan was pretty much like that of the sorry management team of the about-to-die JWT/Chicago. In other words, let the whole thing sink into the muck and mire due to inertia and neglect."

Lazare may have gotten ahead of himself in saying, "about to die," as it seems the shop has turned fear of death into some much needed inspiration. Kudos to you, JWT's ibot team — you know who you are.

More: "Update: JWT Chicago Closed"

During a creative meeting at JWT New York yesterday, Harvey Marco informed the department that ECD Kash Sree resigned from the agency.

Sree, who joined the agency in spring 2007, worked on the Diamond Trading Company. Much of his team, we've learned, were among those let go to make way for those senior level creatives we told you about last week.

We haven't heard where Sree is headed.

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More: "JWT Changes Things Up"

Yesterday we told you about Tom Christmann's entrance to the JWT team. We learned that he was one of about 6 CDs being brought on to strengthen the creative bench, and he will be joined by Laura Fegley and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Today we have the rest of the details, thanks to you (note: they're all CDs).

You Already Knew
— Christmann, as mentioned, will be a CD on Microsoft in Walt Connelly's group.

— Kilmer-Purcell is on HSBC and Kimberly-Clark, reporting to Connelly and Sarah Barclay.

— Fegley is heading to Nestle, reporting to Paul Bichler.

New Info
— Jim Wood will be on Macy's account, reporting to Wayne Best.

— Bill Courtney is on The Royal Caribbean team, reports to Bichler.

— Louis-Philippe Tremblay is also on Microsoft.

The Bad News
In order to clear some space for these new hires, ECD Harvey Marco had to let a few go. We haven't been successful in finding out who or how many, but a group was sacrificed to make room, mostly mid-level creatives. Out the window like that fabled desk.

The agency did undergo some layoffs a little over a week ago, about 1% of the New York staff. Sources close to the matter say that move came from on high — WPP, that is. Let us know if you have more info there. AgencySpy at mediabistro dot com.

Oh and former JWT London Global ECD Fernanda Romano, one of AdAge's women to watch, left the agency to take up a 6 month gig at Euro RSCG London as global creative director for digital and experiential advertising. After that, we hear she's taking some time off to chill out in Spain, the land that I love. Adweek has more.

Update: We hear Kash Sree's group was the one that was let go.

More: "Tom Christmann Lands at JWT NY, First of Many High Level CDs"

Tom Christmann, former ECD from Cliff Freeman, is one of a half dozen high level CDs JWT New York is adding to its bench over the next few weeks, confirmed sources close to the matter.

Whether Christmann would find another gig was never a question, according to people who worked with him in previous agencies. It was just a question of where. According to my sources, Christmann is just one of 6 (or so) creatives who are considered high level that JWT is bringing on — if there is a special task in mind for this yet-to-be-named team we aren't sure. The CDs are all considered "very high level."

Christmann will report to Walt Connelly on the Microsoft account. More on this later today.

Update 1: Sources tell us Laura Fegley and Josh Kilmer-Purcell are among the top level CDs being brought on. "Laura worked with Josh at Merkley years ago, then Tom (Christmann) worked with Josh at Kirshenbaum after that," said a source.

More: "ECD Tom Christmann Left Cliff Freeman"

Update: This shoot is for Microsoft's search business (codename Kiev) — which JWT has already won. This is not to be confused with codename Pink/Tribe, the mobile business that's being kept on the down low.

This is why we need interns. I'm hearing that right now, JWT's (NY) super-secret campaign (but less secretive than the pitch for mobile) for Microsoft's search business is being shot down on Houston here in Manhattan. Damnit, I may go dark for awhile and go seek them out. I'll be the guy in the trench with aviators and an umbrella. And a tiny camera!

I'm told the team is shooting two New York well-knowns. Oops, did that just slip out?

Ten points for the spy who sends me pics of video of the crew in action (agencyspy @ mediabistro dot com).

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More: "Codename Pink, Er, Tribe; Whatever, This is About Microsoft's New Search Tool and Campaign"