The Coppell-based pizza chain should generate plenty of work for Publicis, given that CiCi’s CEO Mike Shumsky told me last year that his company has identified 73 markets nationwide in which its low-cost buffet restaurants would work, and that they hope to add 500 new units during the next eight to 10 years.

Dallas-based Richards Group was also reportedly in the running for the account. CiCi’s was looking for a new agency after bringing in a new chief marketing officer last year. As Stan Richards, principal of the Richards Group, recently told me (when we were discussing other matters): “Anytime the CMO changes, the agency is in jeopardy.”

A new CMO likes to signal a new direction right away, which usually means a new ad agency. Richards said he wasn’t surprised when his own firm lost Red Lobster as a client last year, after that restaurant chain hired a new CMO. ”It’s one of the hazards of the industry. The average life of a CMO is under two years, so it’s a constant issue,” Richards says.

I’m sure then that Publicis hopes CiCi’s remains happy with its CMO. And that they can keep the company’s penny-pinching target customer happier than this guy.

The view from D Magazine's 21st-floor kitchen

This ad on the side of a West End parking garage gives me visions of a giant, topless Jennifer Aniston, rampaging through our fair city like Godzilla through Tokyo. … This will not be a productive day.

Update: The fine folks at Frito-Lay send along a clarification. “Just saw your post about the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest and it seems like there is a little confusion regarding what our plans are as far which ads will air during the game. Attached is the press release we put out at the beginning of the month regarding our finalist selection and call for votes. Also, here is a link to see which ads American consumers can vote for: www.crashthesuperbowl.com. The ads you profiled are not among our finalists and will not air during the Super Bowl. Hope this helps.”