Visa shifted the duties as its lead creative agency to BBDO Worldwide Inc., part of the Omnicom Group, from TBWA Worldwide Inc., which is also owned by Omnicom. BBDO had been the creative agency for Visa USA from 1985 to 2005, when those duties went to the TBWA/Chiat/Day unit of TBWA. Visa spent almost $500 million in 2011 on advertising in the United States. The worldwide total was not available. Visa said that TBWA would continue 'to support its efforts in select international markets, working closely with BBDO and other agencies in its portfolio.

Sidheshwar Sharma has been appointed regional business director on the BlackBerry account at BBDO India. He will be in charge of both the regional as well as local business for the brand. Based in the agency's Mumbai office, he will report to Ajai Jhala, chief executive officer, BBDO India. Sharma moves in from Grey Worldwide, where he worked as client services director. At Grey, he worked closely on the Reliance-3G account. Sharma brings around a decade of industry experience to the table. Sharma brings around a decade of industry experience to the table.

The American Red Cross announced that it has selected BBDO Worldwide Inc. to be its first fully integrated agency partner. BBDO Worldwide Inc. will help make the iconic 130-year-old Red Cross brand more relevant and differentiated. It will develop a comprehensive advertising and marketing plan designed to build awareness of the full breadth of Red Cross services, increase donations, recruit volunteers, attract business support and strengthen engagement.