Pergo Names New Ad Firm

Boston, MA, July 28--Pergo on Friday said it had selected Havas' Arnold to handle its ad account on a project basis, according to Adweek. Spending is estimated at $15 million. Pergo spent an average of $12 million annually in 1999, 2000 and 2001, per TNS Media Intelligence/CMR. 2002 spending dropped dramatically to $1 million. Independent The Richards Group in Dallas had handled the business since 1994. Sources said Boston-based Arnold outpaced indie Doner in Southfield, MI, in the final round of a review to win Pergo. Earlier on Friday, a representative of the Raleigh, NC, client confirmed the company had talked with shops, but he declined to name them and said no decision had been made on when, or if, an agency would be selected. A few hours later, Pergo said Arnold had been hired on a project basis to succeed Richards. David Small, client director of brand and product marketing, said the company was heading in a new direction and wanted a different agency to help. He said that new president Tony Sturrus, who joined Pergo in mid-January, had called for several changes within the company, including advertising.