M&G Financial Services has appointed Harrison Troughton Wunderman
to its £6 million through-the-line account.
The long pitch process began in September. The agency will create
advertising and direct marketing activity for M&G, which markets ISAs,
unit trusts and bonds.
The agency is M&G's third in 18 months. In March 2000 it parted company
with Evans Hunt Scott after a dispute over costs and payment for
work.
It then appointed the Cheltenham-based agency TDA which produced a range
of direct marketing and advertising for ISAs, unit trusts and bonds, as
well as corporate advertising.
John Goddard, the central marketing director who appointed Wunderman,
said: "Wunderman helped us develop a relevant, unique brand idea, which
fits the company and its history rather than making the company fit the
brand idea."
Last year M&G spent £4 million on press advertising with its
largest spend on corporate bond products and investments in managed
growth funds.
Wunderman's first activity will be a brand response national press and
poster campaign in the New Year.
M&G has also run interactive TV activity developed by Carlton
Active.
It signed up for an initial two-month trial last year with Carlton.
Martin Troughton, a managing partner at Wunderman, said: "M&G is
obviously very serious about creating a differentiating persona in the
crowded financial services market. We are pleased to have been appointed
to develop the M&G brand in a through-the-line capacity."
