SAN JOSE, CA: BEA Systems has turned to Applied Communications on
an interim basis while it restarts its agency review.
Kevin McGuirk, BEA's VP of corporate communications, said he'd contact
agencies this week.
BEA first issued an RFP in August, when Text 100 resigned the account
because of its IBM win. It then hired McGuirk away from Oracle. He
joined just before Alfred Chuang replaced Bill Coleman as CEO.
McGuirk said that he hasn't had the time for a proper review, but now he
can start again, explaining, "I want to do it right."
Applied will have to go through the same selection process as other
agencies.
The agency was not able to pitch for the business originally because of
a client conflict with Oracle.
Alan Kelly, CEO of Applied, said he is pleased to be working on an
interim basis, and knows the firm will face competition for the AOR
slot.