Merged Whittman-Hart, USWEB/CKS Selects Agencies

The giant Web services firm created from the merger of Whittman-Hart and USWEB/CKS Friday chose VSA Partners and McKinney & Silver as its agencies of record for branding and advertising, respectively.

“The new company we’re creating through the merger of Whittman-Hart and USWeb/CKS will give the same care and attention to building its own brand as it does to its clients’ brands,” said Tom Suiter, chief creative officer of the new organization.

“We are pioneering a company that the marketplace hasn’t seen before, so it’s critical that our brand and advertising consistently and effectively communicate the unique value we bring to our clients.”

VSA has been tapped to help the company define its brand strategy and communicate its corporate identity, Web, and collateral.

McKinney & Silver, a Whittman-Hart & USWeb/CKS firm, will create integrated marketing campaigns, including global advertising to get the company’s brand message out.

VSA’s client portfolio includes Coca-Cola, Time Warner, Ameritrade and Harley-Davidson. Some of McKinney & Silver’s clients are Audi of America, Aetna USHealthcare, Bacardi-Martini USA and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade.

The combined company will announce its new name on March 23 and launch its new brand and global advertising campaign later in the year.