German communications agency BMZ, the Düsseldorf-based 100%-owned subsidiary of Publicis Groupe and part of the Publicis WW network, has rebranded to become Saatchi & Saatchi Düsseldorf.

“The rebranding of BMZ into Saatchi & Saatchi Düsseldorf gives us the opportunity to increase the value of the Düsseldorf location,” says Michael Samak, CEO Saatchi & Saatchi Germany.

“But this is not just a name change. BMZ, as Saatchi & Saatchi Düsseldorf, now belongs to the family of Lovemarks Companies and, as we do in Frankfurt, will be concentrating on integrated content solutions for our clients. The digital competence of BMZ will play a central role in this.

“With this step we have formalised a development that became apparent over recent months,” adds Peter Wendt, COO Publicis Germany.

“Publicis Germany will, however, continue their digital offering through P//MOD in Düsseldorf, since many clients and projects of other Publicis offices are handled out of the city.”

Saatchi & Saatchi Düsseldorf will be led by Stephan Zilges, Executive Creative Director, and Arnd Lechtenberg, Managing Director. Hans-Dieter Hoever, Managing Director of BMZ for many years, will counsel the agency in the future. Under the new branding, current BMZ clients like Lexus, Vaillant, Marriott, Citibank, Signal Iduna and Primagas will continue to be managed by Saatchi & Saatchi Düsseldorf.

Saatchi & Saatchi Deutschland is the Lovemarks Company that accompanies brands like T-Mobile, Toyota, Sony Ericsson, dm-drogeriemarkt, Emirates, Pampers, Ariel, Voltaren, Otriven, Fraport, Volvo and SCHOTT Solar on their journey to becoming a lovemark.

Volkswagen has announced its placing of agency of record assignment up for review. The agency of record is responsible for all aspects of marketing and advertising and is currently managed by Crispin Porter + Bogusky.

"Volkswagen has embarked on a mission to significantly grow our business here in this market. Our goal of rapidly increasing our volume in a mature market requires the Volkswagen brand to evolve into a more relevant mainstream choice," said Tim Ellis, Vice President Marketing,

Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Volkswagen Brand needs to inspire our base of enthusiasts as well as reach out and captivate those in mainstream America. Therefore, we are re-evaluating all areas of our business, and after careful considerations have decided to take the necessary steps to ensure we have the right agency partner in place," added Ellis.

Volkswagen of America's goal of reaching 800,000 sales by 2018 will be accomplished with the introduction of many new and exciting models. The first of these highly anticipated models will be an all-new compact sedan debuting next year. Approximately one year later an all-new mid-size sedan will be manufactured in a state-of-the-art new production facility being built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Both models have been designed with the specific wants and needs of the U.S. consumer in mind.

Volkswagen at this time has not selected a list of agencies that will be considered. They have contracted with Roth Associates in order to begin the review process.

Ellis noted that Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the incumbent AOR, has been invited to participate in the pitch. Ellis continued, "CP+B is a highly talented and creative agency and we've been very proud of the work they have provided us."