Subway parts company with Goodby, Silverstein & Partners

by staff, Brand Republic 22-Jul-05, 08:30

NEW YORK – Being a Subway Restaurants agency is a tough job. The fast food chain has shifted its estimated $500m advertising account out of its agency of less than a year, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, having previously dismissed Fallon after a similar stint.

The Milford, Connecticut, based global fast food chain has appointed Boston independent agency McCarthy Mambro Bertino, which had previously handled project work for the retailer.

Tom Seddon, CEO of the Subway Franchise Advertising Fund Trust, said in a statement that Goodby, Silverstein had done a lot of great work for the chain in its short time with Subway.

"GS&P did a lot of terrific work in its short time with us. But, based upon the successful work of our other national partner, MMB of Boston, we feel that MMB can meet our advertising needs and we don't require any additional help right now," he said.

Omnicom-owned Goodby, Silverstein & Partners was appointed to handle what was Subway's $300m advertising account following a review last August after the chain parted company with Publicis Groupe agency Fallon in May 2004 after less than a year.

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners co-chairman Jeff Goodby said he thought the agency had done some good work.

"We're proud of the work we've done. It's just too bad we all didn't figure out a way to continue on together," Goodby said.

The change in agency relationships at Subway follows the resignation of Chris Carroll, the senior vice-president of the Subway Franchise Advertising Fund Trust, who headed up Subway's marketing for almost six years. He is reported to have resigned two weeks ago and will leave in September.

Subway's media is handled by Grey Global Group's MediaCom in New York, which was unaffected by the review.

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