Local nous beats global know-how

BMW has moved its Spanish advertising account from Soluciòn to SCPF, a Barcelona-based agency whose other clients include Pizza World and Damm beer. The German car maker spent Pta.1,300m (5.4m) on advertising in Spain during 1997.

Naf Naf and Chevignon have simultaneously launched major campaigns in France. The two will spend Ffr 14m (1.4m) and Ffr 10m (1m) respectively on repositioning themselves against newcomers such as GAP and Zara. Both brands are owned by the same company.

GWA, the German ad agency association, has awarded Effies, its awards for effective advertising, to 13 campaigns from the past year. Winners will be told if their award is gold, silver or bronze at a ceremony in Berlin on November 13.

The Paris offices of TBWA and BDDP are to merge, following Omnicom’s takeover of BDDP-GGT. The new agency, named BDDP@TBWA, will be headed by Eric Delannoy and Marie-Catherine Dupuy.

Several contestants in this year’s Miss Italy contest, held in Salsomaggiore on September 6, took out newspaper ads before the event inviting TV viewers to vote for them. The ceremony, broadcast on Rai Uno, attained an 80 per cent share of audience for the voting stage.

Coca-Cola has dropped Casadevall Pedreño, the Spanish ad agency which recently joined the Publicis network, after four years. Other agencies used by Coke in Spain include Vitruvio Leo Burnett and McCann-Erickson.

In what is claimed as a world first, advertising has been introduced on the interior walls of Switzerland’s Grauholz rail tunnel. Posters light individually as the train passes, giving the impression of a film. Swatch is the first advertiser to use the system, currently on a six-month trial.

Barcelona’s metro system is to be equipped with a closed circuit television network. The cable-based system will carry advertising, information and entertainment but no sound.

Swiss co-operative retailer Migros is facing protests from a number of its members after the company agreed to sponsor this year’s Mr Gay competition, to find Switzerland’s most attractive gay man. The event takes place on October 3…

…Migros has opened ‘Wellness Parcs’ in Basle and Zurich. At 4,000 square metres, the Basle centre is Switzerland’s largest health club. The site was previously occupied by a Migros grocery outlet.