Business on the move including Google, Disney, M&S Bank, and more

By Imogen Watson | Senior reporter

November 29, 2018 | 6 min read

Welcome to The Drum's Business on the Move column, where we collate agency account news, reviews, agency launches, rebrands and acquisitions.

Disney has struck a deep digital bond with Google

Global wins

Disney has struck a deep digital bond with Google after agreeing to transfer its catalogue of digital properties, including Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, to the internet giant's advertising platform.

Emarsys has been appointed by AllSaints to drive worldwide customer engagement through highly personalised and automated marketing campaigns.

EMEA wins

Dealchecker, the travel comparison and verified deals website, has appointed Rooster PR to handle its public relations brief.

Droga5 London has been hired by outerwear label Canada Goose, with a brief to help it cement its world-class credentials through a series of initiative-led campaigns.

Unicef UK, in partnership with Initial, ITV and Triple S Events, has appointed Red Bee to deliver a strategic and creative repositioning of the Soccer Aid for Unicef brand.

Girlguiding has appointed Threepipe to support its latest campaign to recruit volunteers to help girls realise their full potential.

This week's acquisitions

The Miroma Group has acquired integrated communications agency Way To Blue, as it aims to expand its ‘global footprint’.
Avenir Global has acquired Cherry, an independent healthcare creative agency in the U.K.

Digital marketing agency Crafted has been appointed by Frugi, a UK clothing brand for children. The agency is to deliver an integrated strategy across the full mix of digital channels.

Grenade has appointed Social Chain as its lead social agency.

Obstacle course event business Rough Runner, has appointed Promote to manage its UK consumer PR.

Travel marketing company Thissaway has landed three new PR accounts with cottages.com, Landal GreenParks UK and Richardson’s Boating Holidays.

Avon has appointed Spark Foundry to handle its global online and offline media planning and buying after a competitive pitch.

Apac wins

Serviceplan China has won Tmall and VIVO business with pitch teams led by chief creative officer Chongkin and managing director Marcus Ma.

Reviews

L'Oréal's media business in the UK and Ireland is under review, threatening Wavemaker's hold on the contract. The cosmetics company last reviewed the business in 2013, when Nielsen estimated it to be worth £135m.

Launches

Hotel Chocolat has opened its second store in the Asia Pacific as it continues its overseas expansion.

Creative production companies, Sehsucht and Liga 01 are to join forces, unifying under a single brand; Sehsucht.

VisitBritain has announced a Eurostar and Virgin Trains partnership to offer a united travel service for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market, to drive growth in international business events to the UK.

M&S Bank will become the official naming partner of the Liverpool Arena, early in 2019. The new partnership will see Liverpool’s number one venue for music, comedy and events, renamed the M&S Bank Arena.

Mergers

WPP is merging global ad agency J. Walter Thompson and digital agency Wunderman to form ‘Wunderman Thompson’, which will be headquartered in New York and London.

Got a story or tip for Business on the Move? Send your acquisitions, reviews, account wins and launch news to imogen.watson@thedrum.com.

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