The BBC has put its Radio 1 advertising account up for review, in a
move which appears to complicate even further its already tangled web of
roster agencies.
St Luke’s, the incumbent, will not be repitching for the pounds 1.3
million business, which it has held since it was part of the Chiat Day
empire, but the agency has been retained by the BBC to work on other, as
yet unnamed, projects.
Meanwhile, Circus, which helped reposition the corporation’s marketing
strategy earlier this year, has been invited to make presentations for
the account, as has a newcomer to the BBC roster, Fallon McElligott.
The review is the brainchild of Gail Nuttney, the marketing manager of
Radio 1, who joined from BMP DDB just over a year ago. She will conduct
the process in conjunction with Sophie Mc-Laughlin, the head of
marketing, planning and strategy at BBC Radio, and the director of
marketing and communications at BBC Broadcast, Sue Farr.
None of these were available for comment as Campaign went to press, but
a BBC spokesperson said the corporation felt it was time for a fresh
approach.
’It’s simply that St Luke’s has worked with Radio 1 for four years, it’s
done some good work, but the BBC thought it was time for a change.’ She
denied the split was the result of a disagreement between Nuttney and
the agency.
The BBC deals with a variety of different advertising agencies, some
working under the aegis of Farr, others under the remit of the head of
corporate marketing, Jane Frost. Ammirati Puris Lintas has been involved
mainly with the different BBC radio stations, while Leagas Delaney has
concentrated on corporate advertising, notably the BBC’s award-winning
’Perfect Day’.
The BBC’s move to appoint a new agency has shocked observers. However,
Fallon McElligott’s recent appointment of the respected former BMP
creatives, Andy Mc-Leod and Richard Flintham, may have played a part.
