Volkswagen Canada, which markets Audi in Canada, is keeping its account with DDB Needham, Toronto.
This is in spite of the fact u.s.-based Audi of America has pulled its US$28-million business from the Chicago office of DDB Needham Worldwide.
DDB Needham has handled the u.s. Audi account since 1969.
Audi’s move late last month came just days after it called an agency review that is expected to take three to four months.
Mike Sayig, Audi Canada advertising and merchandising supervisor, says he is waiting to see what happens in the u.s. but adds that, for now, Audi is remaining with DDB Needham.
Sayig says the Canadian company operates separately from the u.s. when it comes to creative and media, but notes there is a certain amount of synergy between the North American agencies.
DDB Needham of Toronto is the Canadian agency for Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche.
Meanwhile, last month, three members of the Volkswagen creative team – Marta Cutler, vice-president creative group head; Julie Markle, art director; and Barnaby Southgate, writer – left DDB Needham to work at MacLaren:Lintas.
DDB Creative Director Kurt Hagan says he is looking for a senior writer for the Volkswagen account and will add new staff to the business after that.
In the meantime, Hagen has added staff.
Tom Goudie, who has joined the agency as associate creative director after a five-year stint in the same position at Young & Rubicam, has been partnered with Dan Pawych, senior art director, to work on Matsushita, Heinz and Sandoz.
A creative duo has been hired from Axmith McIntyre Wicht (formerly Camp) to work on new business.
Scott Bradford and David Daga spent five years with Camp working on accounts such as Tourism Canada, Labatt, Go Transit and Ontario Science Centre.
Bradford has signed on with DDB Needham as senior art director and Daga as senior writer.
