The Communique Group of Toronto ended 1995 on a high note.

In addition to being named the marketing agency for Microsoft Canada, Communique has picked up the agency-of-record assignment for New Balance Canada.

New Balance, based in Mississauga, Ont., makes and markets sports and casual shoes, as well as apparel.

The agency will develop original creative, adapt u.s. work and handle media planning and buying, promotions and event marketing.

Communique’s responsibility for Microsoft includes local and Canada-specific advertising, media planning, promotions and all Internet marketing. Communique has been working on promotions for Microsoft for the past three years.

Previous agency TBWA Chiat/ Day had had the account for five years.

According to ACNielsen, Microsoft’s media spending in 1995 was $10.6 million, with $3.6 million of that allotted to the launch of the Windows 95 operating system.

Communique will work closely with Wieden & Kennedy of Portland, Ore., which handles Microsoft’s global brand advertising and national media buying.

The media portion of the Microsoft Canada business has been awarded to Media Buying Services of Toronto.

Hill and Knowlton, which has handled Microsoft’s public relations for the past three years, has retained that assignment.