https://vimeo.com/34525387
Steve’s breakdown: Scottish Power is owned by Iberdrola headquartered in Spain. They also own Peñascal Wind Power Project in Texas.
GLASSGOW, Scotland: Scottish Power is reviewing its £7 million UK media planning and buying account.
The Spanish-owned energy supplier is holding the review through Creativebrief. [...]
Posts in category Region: Europe
Scottish Power turns up the juice on Media review
https://vimeo.com/34525387
Steve’s breakdown: Scottish Power is owned by Iberdrola headquartered in Spain. They also own Peñascal Wind Power Project in Texas.
GLASSGOW, Scotland: Scottish Power is reviewing its £7 million UK media planning and buying account.
The Spanish-owned energy supplier is holding the review through Creativebrief. [...]
Novatis has PR issues all over the place: In Review
Steve’s breakdown: There are a lot of moving parts at Novartis so make sure to read this entire post and its links. Novatis US is located in Parsippany, NJ.
The featured image is the first building in their green campus.
BASEL, Switzerland: Novartis is understood to be conducting reviews of its PR support in both the consumer health and [...]
Global Media Review takes flight at British Airways
Steve’s breakdown: Some of the biggest players are in on this one but there’s still time to get in there because briefs have not been issued.
LONDON, UK: British Airways is reviewing its global media planning and buying account, currently held by ZenithOptimedia.
It is understood that BA is holding chemistry meetings with agencie [...]
Sky Bet goes all in on advertising review
https://vimeo.com/49609060
Steve’s breakdown:”Agencies are vying to gain a place on the BSkyB roster after Sky Bet, its gambling division, put its advertising account up for pitch.”
ISLEWORTH, UK: Sky Bet: has worked with WCRS, which created the ‘excitement of uncertainty’ TV spot
The company has approached both roster an [...]
PokerStars deals ad brief
Steve’s breakdown: Last year, PokerStars acquired its rival Full Tilt Poker in a $731 million deal so this account will be significant. Plus they are coming back to America.
The featured video was banned!
DOUGLAS, Isle of Man: PokerStars is talking to UK agencies about an advertising brief to promote the online poker site.
Agency sourc [...]
$1.75 Billion GlaxoSmithKline review
Steve’s breakdown: And speaking fo massive media accounts. WOW! And like I’ve said before, reviews like this affect more folks than who’s participating. Look around the perimeter and pick off what’s being ignored.
BRENTFORD, UK: GlaxoSmithKline has opened talks with agencies ahead of a review of its estimated £1 billio [...]
V energy drink pures into Europe: In Review
Steve’s breakdown: They are going into Europe for a second time so we suspect, this time will be big!
METHVEN NZ: V, the energy drink, has called a review of its pan-European advertising account.
The most-popular energy drink in Australia and New Zealand is planning a new assault on the European market in a bid to challenge Red Bull.
Su [...]
OneFineStay expands into USA
Steve’s breakdown: Imaging staying in a private home that’s decked out as a 5 star boutique hotel. That’s what this fast growing company, with no ad agency representation, is doing. They have 500 homes in London and, in just one month, 80 in NYC.
NEW YORK, NY & LONDON, UK: Entrepreneur Evan Frank sees his startup Onefin [...]
Sega gobbles Relic
Steve’s breakdown: Sega’s has some deep pockets and we suspect they’ll be putting them to use to market the properties of Relic.
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON & TOKYO: SEGA Corporation acquired all of shares of THQ Canada Inc. and some IPs owned by THQ Inc., a parent company of THQ Canada on January 24, 2013 in order to fur [...]
Westons Cider launches its 1st agency search
Steve’s breakdown: AAR London is handling the pitch so check if your credentials are up to date. The clients has a portfolio of brands and has never had an agency before. This could be a great opportunity or not-so-much. You decide.
Westons, the cider-maker, is looking for an agency to handle all advertising as it ramps up marketing act [...]
Courvoisier: Advertising Review
Steve’s breakdown: This review is being handled out of London but we’re not completely sure how wide this review is. Better give Creativebrief a call.
LONDON, UK: Courvoisier, the cognac brand owned by Beam, is looking for an agency to handle its advertising account.
The review for the UK’s top-selling cognac is being handled b [...]
Creative contest at Mothercare
Steve’s breakdown: Oystercatchers is the consultant handling the pitch so go get acquainted with them first.
WATFORD, UK: The review will be handled by Oystercatchers, along with the retailer’s new global brand and marketing director, Jude Bridge.
Mothercare has previously worked with a number of agencies including Bartle Bogle Hegarty [...]
Bentley revs up $8 million account review
Steve’s breakdown: Bentley, the Volkswagen-owned luxury car marque, is looking for an agency to handle its estimated $8 million pan-European advertising account that includes direct marketing, dealer marketing, events and regional advertising.
CREWE, UK: The manufacturer has approached agencies directly about the pitch, which comprises [...]
Scotland wants Americans to market to Americans: In Review
Steve’s breakdown: They are looking for a North American agency so get in there and go global.
EDINBURGH, Scotland: The Scottish government is teaming up with VisitScotland for a major US-focused tourism drive.
The pair is looking for agencies for both consumer and b-to-b work across the US. The contract will last for three years.
The [...]
YouView eyes an ad review
Steve’s breakdown: “YouView is looking for a new advertising agency to handle its £10 million account after splitting with the incumbent, Adam & Eve/DDB.”
LONDON, UK: The internet TV service, which has Lord Sugar as its chairman, has contacted agencies to invite them to pitch for the business.
As the brand is not using [...]
$19 million hitting the road at Halford
Steve’s breakdown: These guys sell everything you could ever need for a road trip. Very cool stuff.
REDDITCH, UK: Halfords has put its £12 million advertising account up for pitch.
The incumbent, DLKW Lowe, which was responsible for last year’s epic “best trips last a lifetime” TV spot, has decided not to repitch.
Halfords’ [...]
Clydebank College seeks new corporate identity
Steve’s breakdown: Tenders are out and are due January 18th so get in there before it’s gone.
WEST DUMBARTONSHIRE, UK: Clydebank College is seeking an agency to create a new corporate identity, which should be able to cover all the college’s specialisms, including curriculum specialisms and leisure.
The college has released a tend [...]
Account Review Prediction: Founder buys back Aman Resorts
Steve’s breakdown: There are 26 resorts/brands including 2 in the United States. And since this is the founder buying back these resorts, we suspect he’s going to clean house. And that means a advertising review of some kind.
SINGAPORE: Ownership of ultra-luxury Amanresorts is set to return to its founder, Adrian Zecha, as DLF ann [...]
Digital account review prediction: Lufthansa
Steve’s breakdown: We don’t really “do” new CMO announcements here at The Ratti Report but this one is more global than europenan. Plus, bringing in a ex-Facebook executive signals a change in their digital strategy.
FRANKFURT, Germany: Lufthansa has appointed a former Facebook executive as its new head of marketing [...]
In review: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Steve’s breakdown: Rebranding a not-for-profit can be tricky. There’s usually lots of opinions flying around but in the end, you’ll be glad you’re helping the planet.
SANDY, UK: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is looking for an advertising agency to handle a brief to help it connect with new audiences.
[...]
While global review continues: Singapore seeks PR in UK
Steve’s breakdown: We haven’t heard whether the big marketing pitch has been settled so you might want to look into that if you’r interested.
LONDON, UK: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is reviewing its UK PR business amid a wider tender of its global marketing support.
The UK PR business was won two years ago by Lewis PR, [...]
England & Wales Cricket Board seeks agency help
Steve’s breakdown: “The England and Wales Cricket Board is searching for an agency to capitalise on next year’s bumper summer of cricket.”
LONDON, UK: The ECB is looking to exploit the fervour that will be generated by next year’s Ashes series against Australia to boost interest in the sport.
The brief does not spec [...]
Royal Mail seeks PR to go public big time
Steve’s breakdown: The UK mail is going private and they need to tell the people that it’s happening and that it’s OK. Could be a touchy account but one with good future connections, we suspect.
Past posts: “Royal Mail puts multiple projects in review”
LONDON, UK: Royal Mail is inviting the industry’s top City PR [...]
MasterCard UK PR Pitch
Steve’s breakdown: This review has been sweeping the globe. In fact we reported about when it reached the USA with “MasterCard USA PR in Review”
LONDON, UK: MasterCard has said that pitches for its six-figure UK comms account will take place in mid-December.
The news, confirmed by MasterCard UK head of communications Neil He [...]
Global digital pitch at Emirates
Steve’s breakdown: Emirates is looking for an agency to handle a global digital brief to promote its fleet of 777s. As far as past review action, we reported in August “Emirates calls $15 million UK ad review”
LONDON, UK: Agencies have been approached directly to pitch for the account. The process will be led out of London. [...]
Search review at Wickes home-improvement
Steve’s breakdown: Wickes, the home-improvement retailer, is reviewing its search account, currently held by Greenlight. The review is underway so don’t hesitate.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK: Those challenging for the business are thought to include OMD and iProspect, whose sister Aegis agency Carat picked up the Wickes media planning a [...]
Drinkaware seeks ad help
Steve’s breakdown: This review is happening because there was a little brewhaha with OgilvyOne. ISBA will be running the pitch.
LONDON, UK: Drinkaware, the alcohol education organisation, is looking for an agency to handle its advertising business
The charity has kicked off a review, which will be handled by ISBA’s intermediary arm, a [...]
Sacla cooking up ad review
Steve’s breakdown: The company holding the review is one of those digital matchmaker types so get in there and register.
ASTI, Italy: Sacla, the Italian pasta sauce specialist, is reviewing its advertising account.
The brand, which specialises in pesto and other stir-in sauces, is holding the review through Creativebrief.
Sacla has [...]
Kayak put’s $38 million in review
Steve’s breakdown: I think it’s ridiculous that the spot featured here was banned by the ASA. They ruled that the ad’s “treatment of a serious and delicate medical procedure could be seen as flippant”. Wimps!
Anyway, this is a perfect opportunity for a US shop to go international.
NORWALK, CT: Kayak, the online travel [...]
RFP Issued: Novartis product launch
Steve’s breakdown: Novartis, the pharmaceutical giant, is searching for a global advertising agency to handle the international roll-out of an over-the-counter product.
Sources say the advertising brief could relate to Excedrin.
BASEL, Switzerland: Denmark-based intermediary Haestbeck Consulting has issued a request for information (RF [...]
Mail.Ru Games: US & Europe review
Steve’s breakdown: “Russia’s largest internet group is looking for global agency help for video games launches as part of ambitious international growth. Allods Online is one of Mail.Ru Games’ leading titles
MOSCOW, Russia: Mail.Ru Group is seeking a consumer agency to work on various game launches in the US and Europe.
[...]
Red Bull sports in PR review
Steve’s breakdown: The featured video is a montage of all Red Bull’s extreme sports programs. Enjoy!!
LONDON, UK: Red Bull is understood to have initiated talks with UK agencies regarding PR support for its sports activities.
The iconic energy drinks company is perhaps best-known for its sports sponsorship platform, which includ [...]
Farrow & Ball’s UK & US media review
Steve’s breakdown: “Farrow & Ball, the UK-based upmarket paint manufacturer, is reviewing its £2m international media planning and buying account.”
WIMBOURNE MINSTER, UK: The review will include the UK, Western Europe and the US. There was no incumbent as the company previously handled its media planning and buying in-ho [...]
Ziering hair transplant to launch in UK: PR in review
Steve’s breakdown: Here’s a nice opportunity to expand into the UK. You got to start somewhere.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA: The five-figure brief is for media relations work for Ziering Medical Worldwide, a US company that treats men and women, and founded by surgeon Craig Ziering.
The company, which is launching its services in the UK in [...]
New importer to handle Stoli starting 1/1/14
Steve’s breakdown: Berlin Cameron lauched this campaign when I was consulting there. I hope they can keep it but that’s probably not going to happen. So get ready to pounce once the change happens.
BTW: They also have other brands to checkout since you’re looking.
NEW YORK, NY & LUXEMBOURG: William Grant & Sons and [...]
Avios digital review takes flight
Steve’s breakdown: Their present campaign, which will continue to run, is ingenious and a perfect fit for a new digital campaign. I would be all over this if I could pitch it.
WARRINGTON, UK: The company is using Agency Assessments International to help with the review, with an appointment expected to be made in January.
Avios’ digital [...]
Innocent reviews creative account again!
Steve’s breakdown: “Innocent, the smoothies manufacturer and serial advertising account reviewer, has put its £6 million creative business up for pitch.”
LONDON, UK: The incumbent, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, is not repitching in a review co-ordinated by Agency Insight and overseen by Innocent’s marketing director [...]
Superdrug shopping $7.5 million account around
Steve’s breakdown: The featured video starring Joanna Page was produced just for YouTube. It’s well done but probably didn’t pull shoppers considering how much it cost. New ideas is what they need.
CROYDON, UK: Superdrug has launched a review of its UK advertising account, which is estimated to be worth around five million [...]
Jamaica Rums have new Owner
Steve’s breakdown: Appleton is a big brand that should be much bigger in the United States. Maybe you can convince the new owners you’re the agency to do just that?
KINGSTON Jamaica: Italian drinks giant Gruppo Campari has made a tender offer of $414.8m to buy 100% of the issued shares of Lascelles deMercado (LdM), a Jamaica-based [...]
Gaydar: That’s right, Gaydar in Review
Steve’s breakdown: Gotta love this brand name! Anyway, I think with the right attitude, the right agency can get in this review.
GLASTONBURY, CT: Qsoft Consulting, the operator of GaydarRadio, is looking to appoint an integrated agency ahead of an advertising campaign for its Gaydar-branded dating websites.
The company has approached ag [...]
Kimberly-Clark has digital account up for grabs
Steve’s breakdown: This one could be tough to jump into but if you have the right stuff, give them a call.
WEST MALLING, UK: Andrex, the Kimberly-Clark toilet-tissue brand, has put its UK digital business up for review.
The brand has already approached agencies with an RFI as part of the statutory review process.
Andrex’s digital accou [...]
Danone looking to do good with digital review
Steve’s breakdown: Groupe Danone, the owner of brands including Activia, Actimel and Evian, is looking for an agency to handle a new digital corporate social responsibility initiative.
PARIS, France: The food and drink company has approached agencies with a brief to work on a project that builds on its corporate social responsibility cr [...]
Lego in Review
Steve’s breakdown: This is a great company but they’ve always been a little cagey with their ad agencies. Approach with care.
BILLUND, Denmark: The children’s toy brand has been in direct contact with agencies to invite them to take part in a pitch, which is being run out of its headquarters in Denmark.
Lego has traditionally used [...]
Virgin Holidays explores for digital agency
Steve’s breakdown: “Virgin Holidays is looking for an agency to handle its search, social media, affiliate and mobile marketing. Its search partner of four years, Steak, has declined to repitch for the business.”
CRAWLEY, UK: It is understood that Virgin Holidays has chosen a range of agencies to speak to about working on i [...]
Ferrero calls Tic Tac advertising review
Steve’s breakdown: It seems Tumblr went down and all those folks are jumping on WordPress. And as you may know, that’s where this site lives. Things are really slow.
As for this review: Ferrero is looking for an agency to handle UK advertising for its Tic Tac brand.
Tic Tac: previously worked with RKCR/Y&R and WCRS
The confec [...]
Federation of Bakers seeks agency to promote nutritional benefits of bread
Steve’s breakdown: “The leading voice for UK bakeries has launched a creds hunt as it strives to promote the health benefits of bread.”
LONDON, UK: The Federation of Bakers, which includes brand heavyweights such as Kingsmill, Hovis and Warburtons as members, has teamed up with the Flour Advisory Bureau for the hunt.
PRWeek [...]
Worldwide media review: Geox
Steve’s breakdown: “Geox, the Italian footwear brand, is reviewing its global media planning and buying arrangements.”
MONTEBELLUNA, Italy: ZenithOptimedia is the incumbent on the European business. It is understood that the review covers an estimated 40 markets worldwide.
The review is being led out of the company’ [...]
Taylors of Harrogate calls review of £4m media account
Steve’s breakdown: “:Taylors of Harrogate, the tea and coffee merchant that owns the Yorkshire Tea brand, has called a review its £4m media planning and buying account as it aims to consolidate its business into one agency.”
NORTH YORKSHIRE, UK: The pitch includes Taylors of Harrogate coffee, the roast and ground coffee [...]
Media review: Association of Train Operating Companies
Steve’s breakdown: The Association of Train Operating Companies has called a review of its media planning and buying account. Operators represented by the ATOC include First Great Western, Virgin Trains and Southwest Trains.
As for the traveling gnomes, I guess they are new in Europe.
LONDON, UK: ATOC wants an agency to support the [...]
NHS “Change Day” campaign seeks PR shop
Steve’s breakdown: “An NHS institute is to bring in comms support to promote a ‘change day’, ahead of the biggest upheavals in the NHS’ history.”
COVENTRY , UK: The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement is in talks with a small number of agencies around promoting the day, which is planned for the sp [...]
HSBC global in review
Steve’s breakdown: It must be Friday because that’s when this stuff gets out.
The pitch is going through Efficio.
LONDON, UK: HSBC, eight years after consolidating the bulk of its marketing business at JWT and other units of WPP Group, has launched a global review, sources said.
In the last global pitch, the WPP agencies beat team [...]
Global ad review for Bodyform: Because of Richard?
Steve’s breakdown: SCA is a huge company with lots of brands to pitch once you get on their agency roster. The featured video is hilarious and it responds to a Facebook post by a guy named Richard who kinda didn’t know what a peri . . . We’ll stop there. You check it out.
UNITED KINGDOM: Feminine hygiene [...]
Chevron needs to sell Europe on fracking: PR in review
Steve’s breakdown: I wouldn’t touch this account with a ten-foot-pole but it’s our job to report this stuff.
ABERDEEN, Scotland: Chevron is reviewing its seven-figure European PR assignment amid opposition to its controversial plans to step up ‘fracking’ in the region.
The energy giant has initiated an online pro [...]
Nike’s new CMO in UK and Ireland
Steve’s breakdown: We usually don’t report on management stories from overseas but too many of our readers are interested in this sports marketing so here ya go.
HILVERSUM, Netherlands: Nike has appointed its former marketing director for Northern Europe Nicole Hubbard to lead its brand building activity in the UK with a brief to [...]
Harrods in Review
Steve’s breakdown: This is a big one folks. If you don’t know, Harrods is The UK luxury department store and it comes with lots of prestige. The Haystack Group is handling the review.
LONDON, UK: Harrods, the luxury department store, is seeking an agency to handle its UK advertising account. Radioville is the incumbent on radio a [...]
£50 million global media review at Omega Pharma
Steve’s breakdown: Omega Pharma, the over-the-counter healthcare company, is reviewing its estimated £50 million global media planning and buying account. This follows a recent acquisition of the new dietary product XLS-Medical.
NAZARETH, Belgium: The review is thought to encompass more than 20 of Omega’s key markets and agency netwo [...]
5 Greek resorts have new owner in Vagas
Steve’s breakdown: So we all know prices are great in Greece for tourists, right? Well then, the new owners need to take advantage of that now! Looks like an international ad account headquartered in the US of A waiting to happen.
LAS VEGAS, NV: Diamond Resorts International, a global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership i [...]
Global ad review at Rentokil
Steve’s breakdown: Lots of news from over seas on this Columbus Day. That’s ok by us.
“Rentokil Initial, the multinational facilities company whose interests span catering, parcel-delivery, hygiene and pest control, is looking for an agency to handle its global advertising account.”
LONDON, UK: The company has approac [...]
Lake District seeks agency to boost image
Steve’s breakdown: “An agency hunt is under way to support efforts to maintain the Lake District following Government cuts.”
CUMBRIA, UK: The Lake District National Park is holding a pitch for work that could run for nearly three years.
Neil Solender is the policy adviser overseeing the procurement process, which is funde [...]
Unilever puts the “For Sale” sign up for Skippy
Steve’s breakdown: We believe Skippy is going to go for a bargain which means the buyer will have more money for advertising. So keep an eye on this purchase. One company who might be looking into this is Brynwood Partners. Just sayin’ . . . .
BTW: I couldn’t help but feature the Skippy ad done by animator Fred Wolf who als [...]