Barnes & Noble Seeking New Ad Agency

Barnes & Noble is looking for a new agency for its $35 million account, the bulk of which is slated for its online book-selling business at barnesandnoble.com, according to an Advertising Age report.

The agency search comes a little more than a month after Weiss, Whitten,
Stagliano in New York launched a multimedia campaign.

A Barnes & Noble spokeswoman was quoted as saying she believes Weiss
will not participate in the review, but declined to elaborate on details
behind the split.

Media buying for Barnes & Noble is handled by VSM Media in New York; that is
not part of the review.

Eight to 10 undisclosed agencies are being considered and a final decision is
expected by August, the spokeswoman was quoted as saying. The book chain wants
to have a new campaign ready to air by fall.

Barnes & Noble, the nation’s No. 1 book retailer, is still No. 2 in online
selling behind Amazon.com, Ad Age said. When
barnesandnoble.com was launched in May 1997, company officials told investment
analysts they expected to be the leading online bookseller within a year.

Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco has the Amazon.com account.