HEADLINES: Jimenez moves closer towards merger with Basic

Jimenez D'Arcy and Basic Advertising look set to merge just months after Jimenez was cast adrift following Publicis' purchase of Bcom3. Jimenez stands to lose up to 50 per cent of its billings as all of the D'Arcy accounts are expected to move to Publicis agencies. However, sources said that Jimenez' strengths include its lean organisational structure which is majority held by local partners who are well respected in the industry.