Expedia.com has hired Doner to handle its $170 million ad account; Interpublic Group's Mullen,Wenham, Mass., and Omnicom Group's TBWAChiatDay in Playa del Rey, Calif., both of which also have ties to Expedia, had also been in the running.

Doner, an independent shop based, in Southfield, Mich., works for Expedia sibling Hotels.com, AdWeek points out. That connection and the agency's retail expertise apparently played a decisive role in landing the assignment. Expedia confirmed Doner's selection for both creative and media chores, but would not provide details. Client executives met Wednesday to approve the final decision, according to sources.

IPG's Deutsch/LA had been handling both creative and media for Expedia since its founding seven years ago.

Expedia lost market share in the first half of 2006, though it still leads the online travel segment with 35 percent share, according to PhocusWright. The No. 2 player is Travelocity with 25 percent, followed by Orbitz with 15 percent.