- Steve McClellan, Adweek

Weight Watchers has put its $70 million media planning and buying account into review, the company has confirmed.

The incumbent is Mediaedge:cia in New York, a unit of WPP Group.

Boston-based consultancy Pile + Co. is handling the search. Pile president Judy Neer confirmed that MEC would not defend.

Neer declined to identify any of the contenders, but she did say that the review should be completed by mid-April.

Creative, which is not in play, is handled by IPG's McCann Erickson in New York. Recent spots have featured a furry orange creature called Hungry that can help consumers lose weight.