…More than one U.S.-based ad agency could be invited to participate in the Molson Breweries account review process. If one of them does get the business and sets up shop in Toronto, it would mirror events that occurred in 1994, when Richard Kelly, now at Molson but then a consultant to Labatt, was behind the decision to give the fledgling Toronto office of Ammirati & Puris Labatt’s entire creative assignment.

…Publicis has bigger plans for Canada than its recent hiring of high-powered creatives Serge Rancourt and Andrew and Duncan Bruce. Watch for some upcoming mergers and acquisitions, as well as a further investment in talent.

…The departure of the brothers Bruce from TBWA Chiat/Day may not be the only action taking place at the Lower Spadina Street agency. Rumours have been circulating that Steve Hancock, the agency’s president, is also thinking of packing his bags. Hancock, for his part, says he doesn’t know where that one’s coming from and insists there’s no truth to it. It’s business as usual, he says, although he’s currently looking far and wide for a great creative director. Stay tuned.

…Media buying newcomer MediaVest has a good shot at Coca-Cola Canada’s $22-million media assignment because its New York-based parent has the U.S. business.

Coke’s four roster agencies, plus MediaVest, the media unit of Bensimon Byrne DMB&B, are pitching the business, which involves English and French buying and planning for all Coke brands, including Nestea.

Coke’s delegation of radio buying to its regional bottlers and its review of TV and print media buying and planning is fueling speculative fires that the company is aligning itself more closely with its U.S. parent. However, a Coca-Cola Canada spokesperson calls the rumour ‘purely speculation.’