• Ad Age, Monday, November 19, 2007 11:15 AM

Microsoft has started a review for a new consumer-related creative assignment worth $300 million. Among those pitching are Interpublic's McCann Erickson -- agency of record for much of the company's business -- and MDC's Crispin Porter & Bogusky. "We are soliciting input from various agencies, including McCann Erickson, for a new upcoming consumer-oriented assignment," a Microsoft spokesman says. "It doesn't affect any current assignments."

Media for the new assignment will be handled by Universal McCann, he adds. Microsoft spent more than $912 million on marketing last year, with most of that through McCann, and the software behemoth is the agency's leading global client.

It is the second time in the last few months that Microsoft has started reviews for various pieces of work, recently hearing pitches for its Zune music player and moving the account from 72andSunny to McCann's TAG unit in San Francisco. Details of the new project are not yet forthcoming, but it is thought the campaign will try to improve Microsoft's image.

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