AD AVAILS: BATES WORLDWIDE LANDS ESPN INT'L ACCOUNT

          ESPN Int'l has awarded its int'l branding assignment to
     Bates Worldwide.  The assignment calls for Bates to direct
     ESPN Intl's branding strategy for its distribution regions
     outside the U.S. (ESPN Int'l). The assignment had previously
     been handled in-house by ESPN Int'l (N.Y. TIMES, 10/20). 
     ESPN Int'l said that it looked "at about six agencies"
     before selecting Bates.  An ESPN spokesperson said the
     company brought in Bates "to make a much bigger splash and
     reinforce our brand globally."  An ad campaign is expected
     in the first quarter (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/20).
          FOX SPORTS TO STAY WITH CLIFF FREEMAN: Cliff Freeman &
     Partners and Saatchi & Saatchi "have split after a 12-year
     relationship."  Freeman, whose clients include Staples,
     Coca-Cola and Fox Sports, said that "all of the agency's
     clients are on board with the move" (ADWEEK, 10/19).