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Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper has scooped the pounds 10 million UK launch

task for the US search engine, Ask Jeeves.

Ask Jeeves attracted more than four million visitors in October and is

used by 650,000 UK visitors every month. The service features a butler

who invites users to pose questions in plain English instead of typing

in key words. Users could ask: ’How much is a used car worth?’

The service launches in the UK next month as part of an pounds 80

million venture.

Carlton Communications and Granada have each invested pounds 20 million.

The launch will be backed by a pounds 5 million TV, press, poster and

online campaign, although the advertising budget for the year is

expected to top pounds 10 million. The company has appointed Mediapolis

to handle media.

Andrew Hart, the new chief executive, said: ’It gives us the ability to

leverage media properties and enables us to collaborate on advertising,

media and sponsorship opportunities. There will be two or three huge

sponsorship opportunities for the right companies.’