• December 8, 2000

True North Communication's FCB San Francisco has ended its 3 1/2 year ad account with Amazon.com, the industry's largest online retailer, citing "fundamental disagreements" with the direction Amazon was taking in 2001. Industry sources estimate Amazon spent about $30 million in advertising in 2000. Insiders also believe that Amazon will end its relationship with four foreign ad vendors as of next year. Amazon said it is currently searching for one global ad agency.

Amazon officials said that three years ago when the relationship with FCB began, Amazon was a small bookseller and that since then it has become the 48th most recognized global brand with customers in 200 countries. FCB San Francisco created Amazon's award-winning "Sweatermen" advertising campaign featuring a 1960s-style chorus of men garbed in matching sweaters.

-Chris Griffin