Autoshow goes in-house

The canadian International Autoshow of Markham, Ont. has split with Marshall Fenn Advertising, its agency of six years, and set up an in-house marketing and promotions department.

Geoff Fardy, who joined the Autoshow as manager of marketing and promotions this past May, says the company wants to be in control of its marketing efforts and will be building its own team of suppliers.

Creative will be handled by independent consultant Mack Caple, most recently with Saffer Advertising for about 18 years.

Fardy hopes to have an independent public relations consultant in place by Sept. 1.

He has not decided what route to take for media planning and buying, but says an alternative is to establish a new agency called Autoshow Advertising to handle the business for the Canadian International show and two other auto shows.