Chevy Picks Goodby and McCann for Global Creative Duties

Interpublic’s McCann Erickson and Omnicom’s Goodby, Silverstein & Partners are going halfsies on a new agency, Commonwealth, to manage the global Chevrolet account, which they have jointly won after a creative review. The new, single-client agency will be based in Detroit and operate as a 50-50 joint venture between the two holding companies.

The assignment represents a remarkable consolidation of the auto brand’s global agency relationships. Whereas Chevy previously worked with 70 agencies, it will now work with Commonwealth and a small handful of others, including Carat for media planning and country-specific agencies in China, India and Uzbekistan. Commonwealth may also hire specialized agencies for some work.

Both Goodby & McCann have standing relationships with Chevy. Goodby has led the creative account in the U.S., creating work for the Volt around the 2010 World Series. The theme: “It’s more car than electric.” McCann Worldwide meanwhile has served as agency of record in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, India, Japan, China and other regions.

“The Commonwealth solution is testament to McCann and Goodby’s unrelenting focus on creating marketing solutions that grow clients’ brands through creativity, digital velocity and performance,” said Nick Brien, McCann Worldgroup chairman and CEO, in a statement.

Commonwealth will employ an estimated 500 to 600 employees, roughly half of which will be based in the Detroit hub.