BBDO to Close Detroit Office, Part Ways with Chrysler

After advertising agency BBDO followed Chrysler into bankruptcy earlier this year and devised the "We're building a new car company" campaign, it appears the BBDO has had it and will start a life without Chrysler in February 2010.

At least this is what sources hinted Autonews was said in a BBDO staff meeting yesterday. According to them, BBDO Worldwide CEO Andrew Robertson has informed his employees, according to the WARN act, the office will be closed in January and BBDO will "plan for a life without Chrysler from February 2010."

The 485 people working for the agency's office will be payed, salary plus benefits, until January 31. According to the inside sources, this is the date when the contract between BBDO and Chrysler ends.

The news of a separation between the two has been around since the end of the summer. According to the reports of the time, to blame for the separation is Chrysler, as the American carmaker announced it plans to hire new advertising agencies for creating a fresh boost in the fourth quarter.

As a result of this endeavor, Publicis & Hal Riney received a Chrysler contract, while Richards Group got control of the Dodge Ram truck strategy.

The recently launched "I Live. I Ride. I Am. Jeep" campaign was designed by GlobalHue. This advertising agency was chosen by Chrysler since September to handle the account. Still, this agency is not the one to be put in charge of the overall strategy, Adweek says.