• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, October 9, 2013

Oy vey, Arnold! If the agency didn't already have it tough enough what with losing McDonald's New England, Lee Jeans, Aetna and its chief creative officer, Pete Favat, the agency will now find itself in a review to defend Volvo. Yup, the review, in process since June, was initially limited to the brand's business outside the U.S. but will, apparently, now include the $50 million U.S. creative account held by Arnold. The review mark's the car maker's efforts to further consolidate its business. BETC London is expected to lead the charge for Havas with Arnold offering an assist.

What's up, Razorfish? Can't keep your execs happy? It would appear so after a string of executives have left the shop. Following the exit of CEO Bob Lord and Chairman Clark Kokich, Razorfish West President Christian Juhl has left the agency to become CEO of independent digital shop Essence. Of his exit, Juhl said, "I wanted to be somewhere focused on digital media and marketing. You can do things with an independent agency that are harder to do in other places." Enjoy the independence while it lasts, Christian, because you know it's only a matter of time before Essence gets acquired.

It's like predicting when the clock will strike midnight. After just three months on the job as JCPenney's senior VP of marketing, Debra Berman is shaking things up and has brought in a new team of agencies, Doner, EVB and Victor & Spoils (seriously?), to ramp up the retailer's holiday marketing efforts. Doner bested Y&R back in September during an agency review which lasted just three weeks. While Doner will handle marketing, including TV and radio, San Francisco-based EVB and Boulder-based Victors & Spoils will handle social and grassroots. 

That agency with the mostridiculous name, Ctrl Alt Delete, has added another body, Kristi Allen, who will become the agency's first brand strategy and communications director. Allen, who hails from BBDO Detroit, Dow Corning and Chrysler Group, will be tasked with overseeing the agency's development of branded communications for its clients. Of her joining Ctrl Alt Delete, Allen said, “At the end of the day, I hope to be an ally for my clients’ best interests and will serve as a liaison between strategy, implementation and measurement."

It's nice to see dedication and loyalty still exists in some corners of the advertising business. In an industry where jumping ship to get ahead is the status quo, it's a pleasant surprise to see some devotion on both sides of the equation. Vancouver-based Blast Radius is promoting ten year agency veteran, John Ounpuu to VP of Strategy. In his ten years with Blast Radius, Ounpuu has led strategy for clients such as Starbucks, Microsoft and Nike. Of his promotion, Ounpuu said, “It's exciting to take on this new role at this moment in an organization like Blast that's been digital to the core since day one - entrepreneurial, curious and above all, fearless in the face of constant change.”

Former Goodby Silverstein & Partners planner Michael Davidson has joined Vebables Bell & Partners as head of strategy. Davidson will oversee the agency's 21-person strategy department which was previously headed by Lucy Farey-Jones who will stay on at the agency as executive strategy director. Of the hire, VB&P Managing Director Paul Birks-Hay said, "Michael is a rare breed; a strategic powerhouse and an inspiring leader who is dedicated to growing talent."  ;