Fox’s exits Propaganda as H&B rumours mount
Industry speculation is rife that Propaganda is set to be appointed to handle the £6million Holland and Barrett advertising business, just one week after Fox’s Biscuits announced its relationship with the Leeds-based agency has come to an end.
A statement was issued last week announcing Propaganda and Northern Foods, which owns the Fox’s Biscuits brand, had parted company by “mutual consent”, with a number of London agencies believed to be shortlisted for the £5million business.
Despite the announcement, both parties are remaining tight-lipped on the reasons for the sudden split. However, industry sources have suggested that Fox’s Biscuits managing director Graham Hunter, who arrived over a year ago, is keen for the brand’s above-the-line needs to be handled by a London agency.
It also brings an end to Propaganda MD Mike Phillipson’s five-year relationship with Fox’s, having handled the business at his previous agency PWLC before the account followed him to Propaganda in 2005.
It’s unclear how the departure will impact on Propaganda, however, with speculation mounting that Holland & Barrett is to award the agency its above-the-line account. Phillipson refused to discuss the account moves.
A spokesperson for Newcastle-based Guerilla, which has held the business since 1999, told The Drum: “It’s news to us, but in the last eight years this rumour has come about five or six times.”
If Propaganda fails to land the brief, it could spell further cutbacks for the agency. In February, it confirmed eight redundancies after its relationship with haircare brand ghd came to an end. However, insiders claims the redundancy figure was closer to 20.