Bank of America picks Starcom for U.S. media buying

NEW YORK, March 24 (Reuters) - Bank of America (BAC.N) has hired Publicis Groupe's (PUBP.PA) Starcom USA to handle its U.S. marketing and advertising buying work, picking the agency after a review that began in December.

Bank of America said in a statement that Starcom would manage all of its traditional and online media strategy, buying and planning for its marketing in the United States. The bank is estimated to spend about $250 million annually.

Prometheus, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc (OMC.N), previously handled the account. Omnicom's BBDO remains the lead agency for Bank of America's creative work, which was not part of the review. (Reporting by Paul Thomasch, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)