The international firm of Ogilvy & Mather will be the new advertising agency for the Virgin Islands, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull announced Wednesday night.
On Oct. 10, St. Thomas Source reported that O&M, the world's seventh-largest ad firm, had been chosen to represent the territory. But the official announcement was never made. When Tourism Commissioner-designate Michael Bornn was fired a short time later, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull reportedly withdrew the appointment to allow time to review it.
In announcing the selection Wednesday night, the governor said he was immediately releasing $500,000 to the Tourism Department to launch a mass media campaign to counteract negative reports concerning Hurricane Lenny's impact on the territory.
One of Ogilvy's first assignments will be to develop a USVI tourism website, according to a Government House release.
Billings for fiscal year 2000 are expected to be $6 million.
Ogilvy & Mather has nearly 400 offices in 97 countries. The agency recently won five awards at the prestigious Communications Arts magazine's 40th annual competition –– among the ad awards most highly regarded by the industry.
The O&M winners were single ad and overall campaign entries for Mattel's Scrabble and Junior Scrabble. The agency's other clients include Air France, Kodak, American Express and Jaguar.
Ogilvy's V.I. account is strictly for paid advertising development and placement. Martin Public Relations remains in charge of the territory's public relations services.
For more information on Ogilvy & Mather, click here.
