Tories turn to M&C Saatchi

by Kate Nettleton, 25 March 2010, 8:00am

LONDON - The Conservative Party has drafted in its old ally M&C Saatchi to work alongside Euro RSCG on its advertising, less than two months before the General Election is expected to take place.

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Euro RSCG retains its lead agency status, but M&C Saatchi will now also work on briefs to ensure the Conservatives are getting their message right in the run-up to the election – widely expected to be held in early May.

The Saatchi name has been synonymous with the Conservative Party ever since Saatchi & Saatchi created the now legendary 'Labour isn't working' poster that is credited with helping Margaret Thatcher take power in 1979.

Although Saatchi & Saatchi resigned the Tory account in 1987, the party was then reunited with the Saatchi brothers at their breakaway M&C Saatchi in the mid-90s.

Saatchi & Saatchi was subsequently hired by Gordon Brown's Labour Party to handle its ad account in September 2007.

Euro RSCG has been the Conservatives' lead agency since 2007. It will not pitch against M&C Saatchi for Tory briefs; instead, the two agencies will now work on clearly delineated communications strategies for the party.

A Tory spokesman said: "We're delighted with the contribution Euro has made and will continue to make as we near the election. The party has been working with M&C Saatchi off and on since 1978 and they are also part of the team working to help us kick out Labour in this campaign."

David Jones, the global chief executive of Euro RSCG, said: "There are a lot of people in the ad industry who would like to see the end of Brown's regime. All great ideas that help us achieve that are welcome."

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All Comments

Chris Betley - 25 March 2010

I wonder, is it political desperation or nous that seeks inspiration from the Saatchi name and aura?

Iain Morrison - 25 March 2010

Or perhaps someone from M&C called and explained they understood what a hashtag was?

Brian George - 25 March 2010

And may I say, about time, sure Euro/RSG are dpoing a great job, but a great idea to get M&C back - go on Maurice ^& Charlie work your wonder please. As an aside I wonder if our erstwhile PM realised that S&S and M&CS were different agencies when he apointed the former back in '07.

iain morrison - 26 March 2010

I'm not sure any of the Euro/RSCG work could be described as great. The parodies of it were far more engaging!

Grilla Login - 26 March 2010

Guys, the problem is more fundamental; none of the parties, policies or candidates on offer could be described as "Great". Start with a good product... what follows becomes peasy.