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Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO is this week expected to turn in annual profits over 70 per cent up on last year. Media analysts Jonathan Helliwell of James Capel, and Richard Sanderson of Panmure Gordon, forecast pre-tax profits of £8m (£4.7m), and earnings per share of between 15.3p and 15.7p (9.4p).

D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles has shaken up management in its four divisions. DMB&B Financial Citigate senior director Dennis Clegg is to head its business development. Adrian Birchall, The Media Centre chief executive officer, now reports directly to DMB&B group chairman John Farrell (page 14). At IMP, Alan Thompson moves from managing director to become chief executive. At DMB&B, head of account management Barry Cook has become managing director…

…IMP and DMB&B have picked up Texaco’s Natural Gas `95 account. IMP will run below the line. Texaco launched Natural last October via EURO RSCG.

Duckworth Finn Grubb Waters senior account handler Andrew Nicholson is leaving to set up his own business. It is the first board-level departure in the agency’s five-year history.

Allied-Domecq is talking to agencies about a campaign for its Big Steak chain of pubs.

J Walter Thompson has been knocked off the shortlist for Harveys Bristol Cream. CME.KHBB and Saatchi & Saatchi will fight it out.

Bozell Jacobs Kenyon & Eckhardt has merged with New York agency Lewis & Gace to form Lewis Gace Bozell Healthcare Worldwide, which will work from Bozell’s London offices.

Bulmers is launching a new advertising campaign this spring for Strongbow, with a spend of £4.5m – 40 per cent higher than last year. Strongbow will also be given a new pack design. Bulmers is increasing its total marketing budget from £20m to £26m across all cider brands.

Drinks distributor CCSB will back the launch of its Oasis soft drink with a £4m push, including TV and poster ads by Saatchi & Saatchi, and sampling. Some £1m will be invested in the launch of Schizan, including TV ads by BMP DDB Needham. Both drinks are aimed at 20 to 35-year-olds (MW, last week).

The Independent Television Commission will not uphold 23 complaints about the Walkers crisps `Welcome Home’ ad by BMP DDB Needham, starring Gary Lineker.

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