Account Round Up: UK Government and Microsoft up for review, and BBH pick up Ladbrokes
Accounts Under Review
The UK Government is reviewing its £237 million combined media buying account, currently held by Group M’s M4C. The account will again be granted to a single agency via an e-bid process.
BBH has won the Ladbrokes account
Global giant Microsoft is also undertaking a full review of its agency roster across advertising, media and digital. It also aims to appoint a single company to master the roles.
The BGL Group has announced a review of its £300m media agency account and is seeking pitches that will incorporate services including UK comparison site comparethemarket.com. The current incumbent agency is ZenithOptimedia.
The British Legion is seeking to appoint a new marketing and PR agency., aiming to appeal to a younger audience on a year round basis.
Energy brand EDF has initiated a worldwide advertising review of its accounts currently held by BBDO and Havas. The review is mandatory as part of its state owned status.
The University of the West of England has unveiled a tender for ad hoc graphic design and branding services, which will be supported by in-house resources. Valued at between £30,000 and £170,000, the estimated length of contract is 48 months.
Account wins
BBH has won the advertising contract for gambling brand Ladbrokes after a competitive review. The account is said to be worth £7 million.
Saatchi & Saatchi Arachnid has been reappointed as the digital agency of record for Petronas Lubricants International following an agency review and an eight way pitch.
Symantec Corporation has announced the appointment of Grey San Francisco to handle global creative advertising and brand strategy, as well as social strategy, for the Norton brand. Grey will also work with WPP sister agency, MediaCom, to drive media strategy, planning and buying around the globe for both Symantec and the Norton brand.
The British Phonographic Industry has announced that content design and creation company Somethin’ Else is to head up its digital strategy for 2014. The agency has now been tasked with producing all of the Brit’s online video content which will be hosted on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the official BRIT Awards site.
The Priory has appointed Leeds-based Search Laboratory to handle search engine optimisation. Search Laboratory has been tasked with increasing online awareness of its services.
WCRS has won the creative account for home décor brand B&Q. The account for marketing and communications is said to be worth £50 million.
ITG, the independent broker, has awarded its European PR account to Aspectus following a competitive pitch process. The agency has been tasked with working to develop the European markets.
The Royals has been appointed by Campari Australia to assist including incumbent agency AJF Partnership Sydney manage its brands in Australia. The appointment comes as a result of a brand review undertaken by Campari.
Dixons Retail has announced the appointment of AMV BBDO as its lead creative and strategic agency for the UK and Ireland. The account was previously held by M&C Saatchi.
Selfridges has appointed Clive Reeves Public Relations to handle PR for its Birmingham store.
Land Rover has announced the appointment of Brand Union to develop and evolve its identity system. The appointment for Brand Union and digital brand consultancy partner, Digit, comes following a pitch process including six agencies
Vocational education organisation City & Guilds has announced the appointment of 1DA as its lead international creative agency. 1DA has been briefed to align City & Guilds’ global communications under one positioning, targeting education institutions and governments across the globe.
QVC has appointed Hill+Knowlton Strategies to handle its PR account following a three-way pitch.
American Express (Amex) has appointed Arena Media, part of Havas, to handle its consolidated global paid search account after a three way pitch. The account, which is valued at £5m per year, will cover the UK, as well as some other markets including Canada, Japan and Australia.
Tyre and rubber manufacturer Bridgestone has appointed UM to handle media planning and buying throughout Europe following a four-way pitch. The agency was appointed based on a brief to increase brand awareness and develop online portal www.beeneverywhere.eu as a platform.
Heineken has announced the appointment of adam&eveDDB to handle Foster’s digital business following a competitive pitch.