TeleVest Canada, the media division of Bensimon Byrne DMB&B of Toronto, is changing its name to MediaVest Worldwide. The change is part of a global branding and consolidation of the media operations of its holding company, The MacManus Group of New York.

MediaVest Worldwide is made up of current MacManus units TeleVest and MediaVest and the unbundled media departments of agencies DMB&B and N.W. Ayer & Partners.

The move will bring MediaVest’s annual billings to US$8 billion for a global roster that includes Avon, Coca-Cola, General Motors, JCPenney, Kraft, M&M/Mars, and Procter & Gamble.

The Canadian operation, headed by Sherland Forde, was launched last year as part of TeleVest North America. It reports billings of $100 million for clients such as Blockbuster Video, Continental Airlines, Denny’s Restaurants, Effem, Philips Electronics and Procter & Gamble.