estern Union, the worldwide provider of money transfers, has split with J Walter Thompson, Chicago, and put its advertising account into review. Western Union, owned by First Data Corp, began working with WPP Group�s J Walter Thompson, Chicago, in the spring of 2002.

For 2004, Western Union plans to spend about 8 per cent of its payment services division�s revenues on marketing and advertising initiatives. According to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR, Western Union spent $15.4 million in measured media in 2003. It is expected to shift from a focus on TV and traditional media toward a more "360-degree" approach. It is also expected to expand its total marketing spend.... more