Talbots Selects Circle.com As Interactive AOR

Women’s clothing retailer The Talbots Inc. has selected circle.com, a subsidiary of Snyder Communications Inc., as its agency of record and partner to help develop the company’s e-commerce site.

Talbots plans to launch its e-commerce site this fall to enable its customers to shop online by the holiday selling season. The site will be located at the company’s current Web address and will build upon its current advertising campaign. Billings were not disclosed.

Talbots “It’s a Classic” advertising theme was developed by Arnold Communications, a sister company to circle.com.

“We selected circle.com based on the strength of its creative and strategic presentation,” said Mary Pasciucco, Talbots senior vice president of catalog development and advertising. “Further, circle.com’s relationship with Arnold Communications will help to ensure that our off-line and online marketing efforts are seamlessly integrated, while providing us with significant operational efficiencies.”

“Talbots is a wonderful brand taking a strong stance on developing its online sales and service channel,” said Eric Snyder, president of circle.com. “We look forward to offering Talbots customers a truly convenient and personalized on-line shopping experience.”

Talbots operates 652 stores in the United States, Canada and the UK. Its catalog operation circulated approximately 53 million catalogs in fiscal 1998. circle.com clients include IBM, Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, Bell Atlantic, toysmart.com, UPS, Servicemaster, Mobil Oil, Sainsbury (UK) and Fleet Financial.