PR jackpot expected for Camelot accounts

National Lottery operator Camelot has heard pitches from nine

agencies looking to handle its consumer and corporate PR, currently

handled by MacLaurin Communications and Brunswick.

On current spend, the combined corporate and consumer accounts could be

worth up to pounds 1.2 million in fees over the next three years.

Camelot has reviewed its communications needs as it prepares to bid to

run the National Lottery for a second term. The current licence expires

in 2001, and the Post Office is emerging as a serious contender for the

role.

Camelot currently spends pounds 50,000 a month in agency fees for

consumer, corporate and regional PR. Harrison Cowley handles regional PR

and is not being reviewed.

The incumbent agencies have repitched, and Camelot is understood to have

heard pitches from agencies including the Red Consultancy, Shandwick and

Fishburn Hedges.

Head of PR, Lisa Bond said: ’We are looking for an agency or agencies to

take us through to licence renewal. The lottery and Camelot are still

prominent on news agendas and we would like external support for new

ideas and creativity to take us through a busy period.’

Camelot expects to select agencies within a month. Brunswick has worked

with Camelot since its launch and MacLaurin Communications, which was

originally hired to launch the lottery’s television show, has handled

all consumer PR for the last six months.

The chosen firms will report to public affairs director Louise White,

who oversees media relations, issues management and corporate

events.

White reports to commercial director Dianne Thompson and oversees a team

of 17 people.

Camelot also retains The Communication Group to handle government

relations.

The company is not reviewing its public affairs agency needs.