• May 12, 2003

Media account turnover increased in April, with 11 advertisers shifting a combined $850 million in billings, up sharply from $160 million in March, according to the MAP Barometer. Year-to-date through April, media account turnover in 2003 is $2.1 billion vs. $3.1 billion for the same period last year.

"Although media account turnover is running a billion dollars behind last year's pace, April was very busy. Based on the volume of auditing and other work we're experiencing, we don't expect a slowdown in media account changes soon," said Jim Surmanek, CEO of MediaAnalysisPlus.

The biggest media assignment recorded in April was MindShare's win of the $360 million Burger King account, which had been at Interpublic Group's MediaFirst. Next were Gateway and Miramax, each at $150 million in billings.