Advertising Roundup: Dentsu to Enter Russia; Levi's Picks Wieden; Layoffs at Euro RSCG; And More ...

Dentsu to enter Russia -- Dentsu, Japan's largest advertising company, will set up a subsidiary in Russia as it aims to expand out of its mature home market. PHD owed the most by Chrysler -- Chrysler could be headed to bankruptcy court -- a move that could leave Omnicom Group on the hook for $80 million. The estimate came from executives close to the matter who said that PHD, Chrysler's media agency, would be owed the most. Siblings BBDO, Cutwater and Organic are the automaker's other main advertising partners. Omnicom Group declined to comment on what steps the holding company might take or what its liability could be.

Levi's picks Wieden -- Levi Strauss has selected Wieden + Kennedy to handle domestic creative duties on its core brand after a review, the client has confirmed. The other finalist was Omnicom Group's Cutwater, San Francisco, which partnered with sister shop TBWAChiatDay in Playa del Rey, Calif.

WPP forms advergaming unit -- WPP Marketing Inc. and Internet game developer Indigo Entertainment have joined forces to form a business unit in the Philippines that specializes in advergaming campaigns for brands and institutions. The new business unit is called Zzing!. Pepsi organizes Super Bowl block -- PepsiCo has arranged to block other marketers of non-alcoholic beverages from advertising in the first half of next year's gridiron classic, according to media buyers and other executives with knowledge of the situation. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola is considering locking up a similar deal in the third quarter, according to some of these people.

Publicis launches new product placement shop -- Publicis Groupe Media is launching a new division solely dedicated to branded entertainment: Core. The division aim to deliver "true branded entertainment that builds a deeper emotional relationship with consumers, and ensures clients' products and services are seamlessly embedded within media channels."

Euro RSCG cuts staff -- Euro RSCG has cut nearly 2 percent of its staff in New York, or roughly nine positions, the Havas agency acknowledged.

TBWA to acquire Vietnam agency -- US advertising agency TBWA Group is set to acquire Vietnamese agency Biz Solutions. Keith D. Smith, the group's international president, said Thursday the two firms would set up an alliance to be known as Biz Tequila, which would focus on a full range of activities in advertising, marketing and promotion in Vietnam.

PHD names CEO -- Scott Hagedorn has been named CEO of PHD USA, filling the position Matt Seiler vacated when he left to run rival Universal McCann back in early July.

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