News Briefs

LOEWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT:

last week selected Draft Chicago to design new concession areas in its theaters. Draft is charged with developing a concession-area strategy and testing new creative designs and merchandising tools. First work is expected in six weeks. New York City-based Loews chose Draft from among five to seven other agencies.

THE DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION: in a rare move, last week expelled Infolink Technologies, Toronto, for sending unsolicited commercial faxes, a violation of DMA's code of ethics. DMA members and staff complained to the association after getting unsolicited faxes themselves. The DMA's Teleservices Ethics Committee tried several times to get Infolink to comply with DMA ethics, to no avail. The Association has referred the case to the Federal Communications Commission since the practice may violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Infolink declined comment until its lawyers review the information.

MCCLAIN FINLON: Denver, has hired Missy Altergott as brand director. She will run the Qwest advertising and guerrilla campaigns.