Interpublic Group of Cos.' Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide and Initiative Media are Samsung's U.S. agencies. Samsung spends about $100 million a year on U.S. advertising.
A spokeswoman for Samsung said there was "no truth" to review "rumors" and that there are "no plans to change" agencies. FCB also denied there was a review; Initiative declined to comment.
Executives familiar with the situation said what began as a regional review of Samsung advertising in Korea expanded to include worldwide operations and that Samsung executives in Seoul have met with its incumbent shops and unnamed other agencies with a view toward possible global consolidation of its accounts.
