Business on the Move: Godiva, Lidl, Department for Education, and more

EMEA accounts

The UK government's Department for Education has selected Havas London in a competitive pitch for its teacher recruitment business. The win marks the agency's first ever piece of UK government business.

TBWA\Manchester has been appointed by Swinton Group, following a four way competitive pitch. The account, a strategic brand project, will encompass all facets of the Swinton Group of businesses.

Gala Leisure has handed Borkowski and Goodstuff Communications the account for its relaunchas Buzz Bingo. While Isobel will lead the account's creative development, Borkowski has been tasked with brokering national media, regional media and influencer engagement. Goodstuff is slated to manage the relaunch's above-the-line and digital campaign.

Grace Foods-owned brand Say Aloe has commissioned Fat Media to create a new website and digital presence. The UK's largest supplier of Caribbean food, Grace Foods tasked the firm with creating a digital footprint for the aloe vera drinks brand.

Lidl has confirmed LK Communications as its retained PR partner in Northern Ireland, following a six-way competitive pitch. The retailer is Northern Ireland's fastest-growing supermarket.

PetKit UK has selected Fantastic Media as its digital and marketing audience development partner. The integrated agency will be embarking on a tactical digital marketing strategy to launch the brand in the UK.

Clothing brand OppoSuits has retained Frank as its UK PR agency, following a successful Christmas trial. The agency plans to capitalise on key calendar dates to increase the brand's online presence.

Online reverse auction marketplace Honcho has appointed PR Agency One to handle its UK launch. The brief was awarded following a three-way competitive pitch and will see PR Agency One oversee strategy, creative and execution for Honcho's consumer launch.

Volpa has announced a string of client wins. The accounts include software developer Nisyst, charities Euan's Guide and The David Livingstone Trust, and Mad Men actor and stand up Allan Havey.

Ombudsman Services, the UK's independent multi-sector mediation service, has appointed Code Computerlove as its digital partner. Code has been tasked with kickstarting the non-profit organisation's digital strategy.

Lottery syndicate service Lotto Social has appointed branding agency Sixth Story. The agency will be responsible for driving emotional engagement between the brand and its members in the UK.

Americas accounts

Emergency service provider Mobile Life Support Services has selected Focus Media as its strategic communications and PR agency-of-record. The firm one of the largest emergency services providers in New York, after the state police.

Launches

TBWA\Asia has launched Disruption Consulting, a consulting unit that will use the agency's disruption methodology to look at business problems facing brands. TBWA told The Drum that the launch was intended to make its business model more sustainable.

Acquisitions

We Are Social has acquired a majority stake in Socialize, the largest independent social media agency in the Middle East. The move marks We Are Social's first acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, and will allow the firm to enter the Middle East and North Africa market for the first time.

Deltrek has announced the acquisition of ConceptShare, a creative operations management platform provider based in Ottawa.