Spike DDB, the ad agency founded last fall by Spike Lee
and DDB Needham Worldwide, was profiled by Lynn Hirschberg
in Sunday's N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE. The "marriage is simple,"
with the agency and Lee splitting costs 50-50, and Lee
controlling the company as agency president. Lee: "Spike
DDB is about ownership. I want to be proactive. I want
more control." The agency has projected revenues of $2M in
the first year, "if Lee can devote a large enough chunk of
his time to running his agency." Spike DDB's first account
is the Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson rematch, which is
profiled in depth by Hirschberg, including a break down of
possible ad campaigns for the fight. Showtime Event TV is
carrying the event, and Suzan Couch, Showtime's pay-per-view
division Senior Marketing Consultant, is quoted as
wondering, "Does Spike Lee know how to talk to white
America? ... I think there will be an education process on
both sides. Spike wants to have impact. We want to have
impact. The question is, Can both goals be achieved?" Lee
noted two companies he would like to work with include
Anheuser-Busch and McDonald's (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 4/20).
WILL ADS HAVE TO WAIT? In Boston, Ron Borges notes
that "rumors are swirling" that Tyson is close to postponing
his fight with Holyfield "again," with sources claiming the
fight will be delayed until September, citing problems with
Tyson's right shoulder (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/20).
