text: Lycos Shootout Decision Is Delayed
  BOSTON—The shootout between Terra Lycos roster shops Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos and Ogilvy & Mather for the approximately $20 million Lycos Web portal account has been delayed by internal machinations at the client that could result in high-level domestic management changes within the next few weeks, sources said. Hill, Holliday in Boston handles the Lycos brand; Ogilvy in New York works on Terra. The pair in late summer gave presentations in New York to management from both Terra Lycos' U.S. operations and its headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, according to sources. Now, that process has been placed on hold, sources said. Agency executives either could not be reached or declined comment; a Terra Lycos representative said only that Hill, Holliday remains Lycos' agency at present, declining further comment.
  Digitas Logs $47 Mil. Real Estate Charge
  BOSTON—Digitas reported a net loss of $44.5 million for the third quarter on revenue of approximately $85.5 million. That figure is an improvement over the third quarter of 2001, when revenue was $72 million. The loss, which had been expected, was attributed by company officials mainly to a $47 million restructuring charge related to real estate holdings in Boston, New York and San Francisco. Though Digitas lost nearly $46 million in the third quarter a year ago, the company had of late posted modest gains, notching profits of $711,000 and $1.8 million in the first and second quarters, respectively, of 2002.
  Mullen Readies Whirlpool Gladiator Campaign
  BOSTON—Mullen is preparing to launch its first campaign for Whirlpool's Gladiator Garage Works division, which markets a new line of garage appliances and storage units. Print ads will break in upcoming issues of Sports Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, Family Handyman, Popular Science, Motor Trend and This Old House. One ad, showing "before" and "after" photos of a crowded, disheveled garage that is neatly reorganized in the new storage units, reads, "The first step is admitting you have a problem." Spending is estimated at $5 million. Mullen picked up work for the Benton Harbor, Mich., client last summer, following a review.
  Helzberg Moves From EPB to Doner
  CHICAGO—Helzberg Diamonds shifted its $10 million account to Doner, following a review that was started because of the weakened financial condition of incumbent Earle Palmer Brown, a client executive said. Besides the Southfield, Mich.-based winner, the other finalists in the review were Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis and The Richards Group in Dallas.
  Braun Awards European E-razor Chores to 180
  BOSTON—Braun has selected Amsterdam, Netherlands, agency 180 to craft a European youth-oriented marketing campaign for its E-razor product line, a client representative confirmed. Braun, a unit of Boston-based Gillette, tapped 180 for broadcast, print, packaging and event-marketing efforts that are scheduled to launch in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands early next year.