Delta shifting ad work in cost-cutting move ATLANTA (AP) =97 In another cost-cutting move, Delta Air Lines is shifting= =20 much of its advertising and marketing services to an in-house team. The=20 carrier said Wednesday that a sister agency of Leo Burnett USA, which has=20 been Delta's primary advertising firm since 1999, will continue handling=20 all media-buying responsibilities. Leo Burnett, responsible for ad=20 campaigns including Delta's "New York, New York" commercials, will assist=20 in the transition. In addition to the media-buying by Starcom Worldwide,=20 Delta said it will employ another outside agency, BrightHouse LLC, for=20 "selective advertising and branding projects." "Leo Burnett has been a fine= =20 partner. This change is about finding cost efficiencies within our=20 organization," said Vicki Escarra, Delta's chief marketing officer. "We=20 have recently expanded our marketing group to support the advertising and=20 communications programs, which Leo Burnett helped establish over the last 3= =20 1/2 years." Nina Abnee, group account director at Leo Burnett, said the agency=20 understands "the pressures that Delta continues to face in this=20 environment" and would work toward a smooth transition in coming months.=20 Delta, the nation's No. 3 airline behind American and United, lost $1.3=20 billion last year and $466 million in the first quarter this year because=20 of a downturn in the travel industry. It has laid off 16,000 employees=20 since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and is seeking concessions from=20 its 9,000 pilots. Delta shares fell $1.15, or more than 8%, to $12.88 on=20 the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday after the carrier announced it was=20 raising $300 million through a private bond offering. The bonds can be=20 converted into Delta common stock, which could decrease the value of=20 existing shares. Delta may offer another $50 million of the bonds,=20 depending on demand. *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@xxxxxxxxx Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Mas Site: www.tntisland.com/tntrecords/mas2003/ Site of the Week: http://www.caribbeanfloral.com TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************