Wal-Mart Chooses Ad Firms

Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, has selected agencies from Interpublic Group and France's Publicis for its advertising work.

Wal-Mart put its estimated $580 million advertising account up for review in December, just days after the departure of a key marketing executive.

Interpublic's Martin Agency will be the lead general creative agency on the account while Publicis agency MediaVest will be responsible for media duties.

GlobalHue, based in Southfield, Michigan will provide ads tailored for African-American consumers, the Los Angeles-based IW Group will focus on "Asian Pacific American" customers and Houston's Lopez Negrete will be responsible for creating ads aimed at Hispanic consumers.