Drug Trading Company has awarded its $5-million account to a new agency owned by Solcom Group, the parent company of Ian Roberts Advertising.

The agency will produce tv and radio creative only. Print and point-of-purchase material is handled in-house. Media buying duties have not yet been assigned.

Drug Trading looked at eight Toronto-area shops after splitting with Saffer Advertising this past July following a five-year relationship.

Drug Trading operates almost 400 i.d.a. and Guardian Drugstores across Canada.

Expanded version

The new agency will be an expanded version of Gall Advertising of Brampton, Ont., which was recently bought by Solcom.

Gall has been specializing in healthcare and ethical pharmaceutical clients since its startup in 1984.

Agency staff will include Gall’s current vice-president, general manager Ernie Axani and vice-president, creative William Hambly, as well as Ken Johnson, former director of client services at Saffer.

More information, including the new name of the shop, will be announced Oct. 1. PS