Samsung shifts ad work to Leo Burnett from WPP

Televisionpoint.com Team
WPP Group Plc, the worlds second-biggest advertising company, lost its creative account with Samsung Corp to Publicis Groupe SA, while retaining direct marketing and media buying.

Creative work for Samsungs advertising for its sponsorship of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin will be handled by Publicis Leo Burnett, Seoul-based Samsung said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.

"Additionally, Samsung will be transferring certain account planning responsibilities for the companys global brand campaign to Leo Burnett, starting in early 2006," the statement said.

"Media and other marketing services remain with WPP." A WPP spokeswoman declined to comment.

A team of WPP agencies won a $400 million account with Samsung in November and most of that account was lost to Publicis, Adweek magazine reported, citing unidentified people. Publicis is the worlds fourth-largest advertising company.