141 Worldwide was badly shaken when global client Allied Domecq — skittish about the trail of clients departing 141 parent Cordiant Communications — announced in April 2003 that it would drop 141 in the fall from its estimated $40 million to $60 million account. The losses forced London-based Cordiant on the block (December 2003 PROMO).

141 was one asset that WPP wanted; the global network is valuable, but tough to maintain, since skills and local clients vary widely between offices. Still, 141 Worldwide maintains a global executive board and offices collaborate worldwide, especially for longtime client British American Tobacco.

The New York City office is managed separately from 141's other North American outposts: full-service offices in Chicago and Toronto (opened August 2003) and sports marketing units in Pittsburgh and Honolulu.

New York handles BAT's U.S. launch of KOOL Smooth Fusions flavored cigarettes, with special packaging and on-premise promotions. 141 New York also sets KOOL's global strategy, which local offices execute.

“You act as a global network when you have the glue of global clients [like BAT] to keep you together,” says Rich Newman, president-regional director of 141 New York.