News International has appointed the New PHD-owned specialist
agency, Rocket, to handle the media strategy task for its new
interactive division alongside TBWA GGT Simons Palmer and HHCL &
Partners, which will jointly handle the creative account.
Rocket won the account, which could be worth up to pounds 10 million,
following a shoot-out against Unity and Michaelides & Bednash. TBWA and
HHCL pitched against Fallon McElligott and the Times Newspapers’
incumbent agency, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R.
News International has kept the details of the task under wraps, but it
is believed that the division will house an entertainment network, which
TBWA will handle, and a recruitment service, which HHCL will manage.
The interactive division will fall within the remit of News
International Digital Publishing, and is part of a plan to exploit the
network of News Corp brands, which range from newspapers to its TV
network, Fox Entertainment.
The pitch was led by Jeff Cha, who was brought over from News
International in New York, and John Paul Sanchez, marketing director of
the UK interactive division.
News International Digital Publishing is headed by Alasdair Macleod, who
became managing director in July.
Sanchez was not available for comment as Campaign went to press. The
three winning agencies refused to comment on their appointment.
News International launched its first ISP in April with
currantbun.com.
The service was renamed bun.com last month in a bid to target a broader
audience. The pounds 10 million launch campaign was created by TBWA.
