101, Adam & Eve/DDB, Anomaly and Karmarama will be competing for the business. Leo Burnett London, which created "#catandbudgie" and "set yourself free", is not repitching. AAR is handling the review for the free-to-air TV platform, which is a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Arqiva.
The Dunelm pitch, which kicked off in November last year and was also run by AAR, has come to an end. The retailer chose 101 over Brothers and Sisters and TBWA\London. Joint was also involved at an earlier stage of the process but pulled out. The incumbent, MWO (now known as Transform London), was not invited to repitch.
The Co-operative Group has been holding meetings this week with shortlisted agencies for its advertising review. Leo Burnett London and WCRS met with The Co-op on 2 March, while MullenLowe London and Ogilvy & Mather London are meeting with the supermarket today (3 March). Leo Burnett is the incumbent, having won the company’s £50 million creative account in 2012. AAR is once again leading the review, which began in November.
The Co-operative Group: between Leo Burnett, MullenLowe, O&M and WCRS
Carlsberg UK has appointed Pablo to oversee through-the-line advertising across four brands without a pitch. The agency co-founded by the ex-England rugby player Ben Kay, which was formerly known as More, will handle San Miguel, Grimbergen, Somersby and the Italian beer brand Poretti, for which it will create a debut ad campaign in May. Pablo had previously worked on an experiential campaign for Grimbergen.
The Open University is understood to have made a decision on its creative review through the Crown Commercial Service. The distance-learning specialist currently works with Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has appointed M&C Saatchi to handle the communications for a new initiative. The agency will work on a campaign to encourage people to take part in the government’s Neighbourhood Planning scheme, which allows members of the public to be involved in making decisions about what happens in their local areas.
