• December 15, 2006

It's back to the future for Wal-Mart's Kafka-esque agency review, as the retail giant has tapped Select Resources International to lead the review of former finalists The Martin Agency, Ogilvy & Mather and Carat. Incumbent GSD&M has declined a second invitation to defend, while the other lon-term incumbent, Bernstein-Rein, was not offered another chance. The Martin Agency partnered for media with IPG sister shop R/GA, while Ogilvy is pitching with WPP's Mediaedge:cia. Carat's situation remains unclear; it had partnered with the original winner, DraftFCB, which was tossed aside following the ouster of Wal-Mart's senior vice president of marketing, Julie Roehm. A decision is expected by mid-January at the latest; the incumbents' contract expires Jan. 31.