PUBLIC SECTOR: Banner targets internet with integrated service

Hi-tech specialist the Banner Corporation is launching an

integrated marketing package aimed at internet and dot.com

businesses.

The agency is offering a service which incorporates PR, research, media,

advertising, events and direct marketing.

’The CEO of a dot.com doesn’t have time to run to all these agencies

separately. We have the range of media skills and the geographic

capability. And because it is all under one roof, we can save clients

time,’ said Banner director Chris Corfield.

The launch will be staggered from mid-March to April, with

internet-based activities, seminars and direct marketing. The initiative

will be headed by Ted Lelekas, who joined Banner from Brodeur Worldwide

in January this year as director of the internet services group.

’Banner has been offering an integrated marketing package for some time,

but this is specifically geared at the internet world. We’re not forcing

people to buy our package in one - there are some companies that will

only need one part of the service. I’m building a dedicated group to

work with dot.com businesses,’ said Lelekas.

According to Corfield, Banner hopes that the service will earn the

agency fees of between pounds 250,000 and pounds 500,000 during this

calendar year

A majority stake in the Banner Corporation was acquired by US-based

Young and Rubicam in September last year (PR Week, 24 September 1999),

with a pledge to invest pounds 6 million in the company during the next

five years.

The Banner Corporation employs 80 people and expects to turnover pounds

22 million during the current fiscal year.