McCann-Erickson Wins WorldSpy Account

After a two-month review, Ardsley, NY-based online research and shopping service WorldSpy named McCann-Erickson New York as its advertising agency of record.

McCann-Erickson, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, will handle creative and media services estimated at $12 million. WorldSpy has been working with TSI Communications Worldwide, another IPG company, since July 1998 for public relations support and strategic communications counsel.

“McCann-Erickson had the right mix of creativity and strategic branding counsel that WorldSpy was looking for,” said Alan Clingman, CEO and co-founder of WorldSpy. “As we move closer to our official launch date, we will rely heavily on McCann’s expertise to increase awareness of the WorldSpy brand as well as the numerous consumer benefits that our site offers to online shoppers.”

“We’re looking forward to working closely with WorldSpy and our sister agency TSI to help develop WorldSpy’s brand identity and officially launch the site,” said Donald Dillon, president of McCann-Erickson North America.

In addition to WorldSpy’s e-commerce research and product comparison features, the site lets shoppers read unbiased product reviews and lifestyle content from Consumers Digest and other sources; purchase merchandise directly from manufacturers or major distributors at a lower cost; access message boards and chat rooms; use the site’s free gift reminder service and gift registry; and earn frequent flier miles.

McCann-Erickson New York, with billings of $1.7 billion, is the headquarters office of McCann-Erickson Worldwide. Technology clients include Lucent Technologies, DuPont, Sprint, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola.