Forsman & Bodenfors, Gothenburg, Sweden is well-known for its pan-European Volvo spots (many directed by Scandinavian directing squad Traktor) and thoughtfully conceived Ikea spots for the Swedish market. But Staffan Forsman, who started the agency with his childhood friend Sven-Olof Bodenfors back in 1986 wants to keep the agency involved in the most progressive work.

"Our clients are all on the net and they count on us to manage that too, so we started up Virus, a little company within Forsman & Bodenfors to handle this," says Forsman. "We want to be able to keep our communications together and put them onto the net."

Forsman rationalizes that strong work should be easily translated to Web or broadband platforms. Virus is currently tooling up, a process involving manpower as much as high-tech gadgetry.

"We've hired some people for Virus, some coming from agencies, some who have only done the net," says Forsman. "Our creatives also interfere in Virus, it is not a separate thing. We'd like everyone to learn more about [interactive ads] in order to do better work for our clients."

Officially launched in spring 2000, Forsman predicts Virus "will bloom by this fall."