WPP, the parent company for marketing agencies including OgilvyOne, G2, Young & Rubicam and Grey Worldwide, is expecting a 5% to 6% drop in revenue for 2009, according to the firm's Q1 financial report. To account for this revenue loss, WPP laid off 3,500 employees in the first quarter.

InfoGroup has combined the insert media arms of its Millard Group and Direct Media to form a new insert media service called AM/Direct. AM/Direct will offer insert media, webserts, free-standing inserts, mobile marketing, strategic marketing and other services to clients of both Millard and Direct.

Nationwide Insurance has named Durham, NC-based McKinney as its new advertising agency of record. McKinney replaces TM, which had been the Columbus, OH-based insurer's AOR since 1998.

Marketers are looking to social networking strategies for their Mother's Day campaigns this year. Mother's Day is a big event for many brands but with marketers more conscious of costs this year, "they are turning more to social aspects of marketing" to promote brands this holiday, said Sam Decker, CMO, at Bazaarvoice.

Filene's Basement today filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. It also announced an agreement, subject to bankruptcy court approval, with an affiliate of Crown Acquisitions to purchase 17 of the chain's 25 stores, including the flagship stores in Boston and Union Square, NY.

Yahoo has upgraded its Web analytics tool with a new version that adds functions and makes it available to search and display advertisers working with the company. While some coverage has implied that the new product is a sign that Yahoo is attempting to compete with Google in this sector, analysts say the company is actually trying to focus its analytics efforts with a different approach.

Despite a drop in sales for the luxury marketplace, a new online media firm focused on targeting consumers with household incomes of more than $100,000 has just come to market. The RGM Group brings together four existing companies as divisions under the RGM Group brand: RGM (Razavi Global Media), JustLuxe, LuxeCreative and InterLuxe Media.

Specialists Marketing Services has been awarded exclusive management of the Ontel Products Corporation lists. These products include the Iron Gym, Swivel Sweeper, Dryer Balls, Shed Ender, Stick N Click, Microfiber Swivel Mop, Chic Shaper, Miracle Foot Repair, Gopher, Smart Clip and Seat Solution.

Software company NewScale is one of the first users of a new Jigsaw offering named Data Fusion, which Jigsaw is describing as "data-as-a-service" or "DaaS."
"People used to both procure and maintain software and now, with software-as-a-service (SaaS), they don't do that any more," said Jim Fowler, CEO of Jigsaw.

The Coors Brewing Company has launched a new campaign to support its new Coors Light "cold-activated" cans. Later this month, Coors will introduce eight-, 10-, 12- and 16-ounce Coors Light and Coors Banquet in the cans, which let drinkers know when the beer is at the optimal drinking temperature by turning the mountain design on the can blue.

New Lists - Country Business - Direct Media, Inc. - Description: This file contains subscribers of Country Business magazine, which offers news and information regarding new products, merchandising ideas and trends for retail business owners.

New List — Military History Enthusiasts — Dunhill International List Co. — This file contains people who enjoy learning about the military history of the US. This list is mostly composed of veterans or members of the American legion.

New List — New Credit Era — Midwest Direct Marketing — This file contains people with credit problems who are looking, usually on the internet, to fix it. These prospects earn an average of $50,000 annually. This list is 50% female.

New List — Veterinary Professionals from Elsevier — MeritDirect — This file contains veterinary professionals who have bought books, references, journals, CDs or textbooks from Elsevier.