Posterscope is to take on at least two account managers now that it
is absorbing pounds 10 million extra outdoor business from MediaCom
TMB.
In the past, the agency - created almost a year ago by the merger of
MediaCom and The Media Business - has split its pounds 25 million poster
buying account between Carat’s Posterscope and Poster Publicity
(PP).
But now that the merged agency has largely resolved its internal issues,
it was considered the right time to consolidate.
As a result, PP will lose accounts including SmithKline Beecham, BP and
NEC to Posterscope, which needs two account managers to look after the
business.
The business will be overseen by client services director Steve Bond,
with daily responsibility held by account director Peter Whelan.
Asked whether he would look to PP for staff, Bond said he was not in the
business of poaching staff.
There is not thought to have been an official shoot-out for MediaCom
TMB’s poster business. Bond said: ’Since the merger we knew of the need
to centralise the business. It’s been an on-the-job pitch, it was never
announced that winner takes all.’
MediaCom TMB group managing director Stephen Allan said cost did not
factor in his decision to consolidate. He said that having developed its
own planning systems, the agency felt safer sharing the information with
only one poster specialist.
Bond said Posterscope’s turnover had risen 30 per cent year on year to
pounds 150 million. In the past 18 months it has taken on the poster
buying for agencies including Total Media, MBS and music specialist DPA
Target.
