• by David Kaplan , December 15, 2004

Interpublic Group's Universal McCann has won the consolidated General Motors European Media account--adding more brands and more countries, with total billing estimated at $700 million.

As a result of the consolidation, UM now handles Chevrolet, Opel, Saab, and Vauxhall in 45 countries in Europe. The media shop has also added the dealership business in Germany, the U.K., France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, as well as the Scandinavian and Central European countries.

The business UM won includes Germany, GM's second biggest market from Carat; Russia from Publicis; and the Scandinavian countries from Omnicom.

GM launched the review back in September.

"This is a major step forward both in terms of providing our marketing teams with consistently high levels of service and in leveraging significant economies of scale," said a statement from Jonathan Browning, GM Europe's vice president sales, marketing and aftersales. "The deal is a good example of how we will continue to develop our operations in order to make the most of our multi-brand, multi-market footprint across Europe."