Carat will provide consumer and trade planning and buying services across all platforms in key markets including the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Final presentations are slated for late July. Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., is managing the search.

The agencies emerged from a broader field of more than a dozen shops that replied to a request for proposals from Wachovia.

It's a relationship that started out rather serendipitously for Traffic. John Powers, president of the Hollywood, Calif., startup, said it was Select's Ms. Bension who called Traffic "out of the blue" to join the pitch.

Select Resources International, Santa Monica, Calif., conducted the review on behalf of the Freeport, Maine-based company.

As many as seven agencies are meeting with Mitsubishi Motors North America this week in pursuit of the automaker's creative business, according to sources.

Wachovia has confirmed hiring SelectResources International to oversee a review of its online and offline creative and media.

Fleishman-Hillard and Burson-Marsteller were finalists in the pitch, which was led by SelectResources International, said Dan Orsborn, senior partner at Select Resources International (SRI).

L.L. Bean looks to name a lead creative shop following the conclusion of its SRI-guided review.

Select Resources International, Santa Monica, Calif., has been tapped to conduct the review, which will also include the digital portion of the business currently handled by Organic, according to the automaker.

Bank of America has awarded Publicis Groupe's Starcom USA traditional and online media chores for all its U.S. marketing activities following a review.

"New Balance was seeking a strong, mid-sized firm with a significant service office or headquarters in New York City," said Dan Orsborn, senior partner at Select Resources International (SRI), who led New Balance's three month RFP.

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has retained SelectResources International to help search for an AOR to handle its national PR activities.

Several factors led to the selection of Santa Monica, Calif.-based SRI, per the client: Its experience managing large complex assignments; aptitude in both digital and traditional media spaces; and its expertise with financial service company reviews.

Sony shifts its PlayStation business to Deutsch/LA from TBWA\Chiat\Day.

MEC is one of five shops that previously split the AT&T business.

Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., oversaw the search.

New Balance shifts to BBDO from Boathouse.

Consultancy Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., guided the search.

ML Rogers' first work for Checkers, a TV push, breaks in the fall.

Incumbent TBWA\Chiat\Day faces four rivals in the SonyPlaystation review.

Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., is guiding the process for the Boston-based client.

AT&T said the media consolidation would 'maximize efficiencies under a single-agency model.'

Boston New Balance has placed its estimated $15-20 million ad account in review, hiring Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., to oversee the process.

SelectResources International will lead the Sony PlayStation review.

The account is currently split between Havas' MPG and independent agency Doner.

BBDO adds Best Buy branding work that had been handled in-house.

Hyatt's final review presentations are slated for month's end.

C-K's most recent work for Hyatt and it's portion is not in play.

Sears Holdings has selected Havas' MPG to handle media duties after a review.

Sears cut a pair of shops from contention in its $740 million media review.

Media work in play covers Sears and Kmart.

Amp'd Mobile has launched a review for the creative portion of its $65 million business, confirmed Catherine Bension, president and CEO of SelectResources International, the consultancy overseeing the process.

The La-Z-Boy work in play is worth about $35 million

Crispin, GSD&M, Fallon Among Agencies in Running

Select Resources International has been tapped to lead the creative review of Toys R Us.

Fox has awarded the international portion of its media account to Aegis Group's Vizeum, according to sources.

La-Z-Boy has placed its brand and retail gallery advertising assignments into play.

Wal-Mart has chosen Interpublic Group's The Martin Agency and Publicis Groupe's MediaVest for creative and media chores, respectively, on its $570 million ad account after a second review in less than three months.