Interpublic's Pepsi challenge.(Interpublic Group of Cos. represents PepsiCo despite Coca-Cola Co. relationship)(Brief Article)(Editorial)

Advertising Age, August, 2001

We can think of 119 million reasons why Coca-Cola Co. should have a problem with the $119 million of PepsiCo business handled by Coca-Cola ally Interpublic Group of Cos. Interpublic should not be working for the enemy, and Coca-Cola should press its partner to unplug Pepsi. But if this is a true partnership, Coca-Cola should sweeten the deal with new work.

Coca-Cola has worked with Interpublic's McCann-Erickson Worldwide since 1942. But Coca-Cola has an unusual formal relationship with the holding company: It named Interpublic ``creative consultant'' on flagship Coke's $900 million global account last December.

Then two things happened. PepsiCo agreed to buy Quaker Oats Co., maker of No. 1 sports drink Gatorade. And Interpublic agreed to buy True...

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