Scotts Miracle-Gro is revieiwing its media business, with reponses to an initial request for proposals due back to the lawn and garden products company on January 9, sources said.
WPP Group's MEC, which started working on the business in 2003, is the incumbent along with independent barter shop Active International, which handles national broadcast.
Pile + Co is managing the search for the marketer, who spent nearly $100 million in media last year, according to Kantar Media. Final meetings in the review are scheduled for March 10 and 11.
Scotts Miracle-Gro could not be reached and MEC declined to comment. Executives at Pile and Active International did not return calls.
Scotts last reviewed its media business in the fall of 2011, opting to stay with MEC in early 2012. The company's chief marketing officer, Jim Lyski, who led that earlier review, resigned from Scotts Miracle-Gro last January.
Miracle-Gro's digital business, at 360i, does not appear to be part of the review.