McCann-Erickson set for two major reviews.(Birds Eye, Bacardi Breezer)(Brief Article)

McCann-Erickson has been dealt a double blow with news that key clients Birds Eye and Bacardi Breezer are preparing to review their creative accounts.

Unilever has been talking to agencies about its pounds 10 million Birds Eye UK account, and will conduct a review through the Haystack Group. The winning agency is likely to be given a shot at the pounds 60 million pan-European relaunch brief for Birds Eye.

In addition, Bacardi-Martini is putting its global advertising account for Bacardi Breezer, worth an estimated pounds 50 million, up for review and is believed to be close to finalising a shortlist.

The reviews come at the end of a turbulent year for McCann. It is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for accounting anomalies in the US, and has lost a host of senior staff. Its global chief, Jim Heekin, left in the first half of the year. This was followed by the departure of Ben Langdon, its European chief, in the summer. Its UK chairman, Tamara Ingram, and its European planning chief, Paul Twivy, were among the other senior departures. ...