decade has dropped out of the race for the new advertising contracts.

And DDB Needham's decision not to go after the multi-million dollar contracts on offer is based upon the political emphasis being placed on tourism in Bermuda presently, said one of its top executives.

The news came yesterday in the online version of The New York Times newspaper's business section.

It reported that DDB Needham New York resigned from the Department of Tourism's account, which it had handled for a decade, by withdrawing from a review which began last month.

And it quoted DDB Needham New York president Peter Tate as attributing the firm's withdrawal from the process to "the increasingly political environment surrounding tourism in Bermuda''.

This led the agency "to apply our talent and energy where we believe our chances are significantly greater'', continued Mr. Tate.

The political reference was to the fact that the review began after November's General Election which brought the Progressive Labour to power for the first time.

Meanwhile the other former incumbent contract holder with the Department is still in the race, a top official confirmed yesterday.

Paula Butler, the vice-president of Porter Novelli -- which handles the department's public relations -- said her firm was involved in the review.

"We are definitely competing for the Bermuda Department of Tourism contract,''she said.

The firm's proposal would be with the Department by tomorrow, she added.

Also yesterday, Hotel Employers of Bermuda chief executive John Harvey pledged his group's support to work together with Government to see what would come out of the review.

He noted it seemed a bit late in the year to be undertaking the review but recognised that the need to go in a different direction with Bermuda's marketing had been "identified'' and he supported the decision.

Mr. Harvey added that he had not had a chance to discuss the review within the HEB but said this would occur soon.

The review was announced by Tourism Minister David Allen shortly after the Progressive Labour Party won the November elections.

Just recently he announced that the process was going well and would hopefully be wrapped up soon so a new marketing scheme could be in place for the upcoming season.