News Briefs

THE EXPERIENTIAL AGENCY:

Chicago, has opened an office in Santa Monica, CA. The office will be headed by executive VP Randi Gelfand and is located at 3003 Exposition Boulevard (310-587-3400).

FRIENDSHIP DAIRIES: has launched its latest cottage cheese flavor via street teams who will roam New York City with samples for three weeks this month. The apple raisin cottage cheese is being introduced in the Big Apple via the sampling effort plus couponing and ads on coffee cups distributed by street vendors, bodegas and delis throughout the city.

BANKS PROMOTE MORE: according a survey conducted by the American Bankers Association, 69% of banks will increase their marketing budgets in 2004. On average banks plan to spend 7% more than in 2003, with particular emphasis on Internet and multicultural marketing.