Burger King to Put Ad Account Up for Review

Burger King Corp. said it will put the fast-food chain’s $400-million U.S. advertising account up for review because of disappointing sales. Lowe Lintas Partners Worldwide, a unit of Interpublic Group of Cos., is Burger King’s ad agency. Lowe Lintas will be invited to take part in the review, though it will need a drastically new approach, Burger King said. About 80% of Burger King’s sales come in North America, and recent ads haven’t sparked new sales, Mikel Durham, president of Burger King’s North American division, said. Burger King’s parent is Diageo, the London-based spirits maker whose brands include Johnnie Walker whiskey and Smirnoff vodka. Miami-based Burger King has more than 11,180 restaurants in 57 countries.

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