The Royal Ontario Museum will be working with Ranscombe & Co. on a project basis while it reassesses its communications needs and strategic direction.

The news follows a decision earlier this month by the rom and its agency of 14 months, Bates Canada, to put an amicable end to their relationship.

Ranscombe handled projects for the rom, notably the Bears exhibit, after its split in 1996 with Roche Macaulay & Partners and prior to the hiring of Bates.

A full agency search will be conducted with the help of Ontario’s Advertising Review Board once the new strategic plan is in place.

The process is expected to begin in May, with July 1, 1998 – the start of the rom’s fiscal year – the target date to have a new agency on board.