A bitter legal dispute between WPP’s Y&R and shopper marketing specialist Mars Advertising appears to be nearing settlement according to sources. Mars -- based in Southfield, MI -- and
Y&R agreed to form a London-based joint venture in May 2011 to provide shopper marketing services to European clients. But the once promising venture devolved into a series of accusations and
recriminations that ended up in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan earlier this year. Mars—based in Southfield, MI., alleged that Y&R failed to deliver numerous resources and
services that it agreed to under the joint venture agreement. And last year Y&R launched Red Fuse, which also provides shopper marketing services. The agency shifted client work to it that the
Mars-Y&R venture had previously handled, in violation of the joint venture terms, Mars alleged. Y&R filed counterclaims, charging Mars with breach of contract for failure to pay agreed-upon
fees for shared clients under the joint venture and for rent for office space. Y&R said Mars owed it about $885,000 in payments due under the venture’s terms. But while the fur has been
flying in the court battle that began eight months ago, it now appears that a finalized settlement may be just a week or two away, per sources. Who keeps the house and who gets the kids remains to be
seen.
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