Ehsrealtime, WWAV and BHWG pitch for WWF's DM business

WWF, the animal conservation charity, is reviewing its pounds 5 million direct marketing account.

The charity is thought to want a change of direction in its marketing, which is handled by Smith Bundy Carlson, a part of Carlson RM. It has shortlisted WWAV Rapp Collins, Barraclough Hall Woolston Gray Proximity and ehsrealtime to pitch for the business.

WWF has brought in George Smith, a direct marketing charity expert who previously ran Smith Bundy Carlson, to act as a consultant on the pitch.

Smith was unavailable for comment as Campaign went to press.

WWF has an extensive database of members for direct mail activity and has also spent heavily on response ads in the national press to support large fundraising campaigns such as 'The Walk for Wildlife'. In the summer, it took the step of planning a joint direct mail campaign with Oxfam, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the NSPCC and Unicef to share costs.

Smith Bundy Carlson, which lists charity work as one of its specialist areas, will not repitch for the business.

Mike Bowen, the managing director of Smith Bundy Carlson, said: 'We were unable to reach a mutual commercial agreement.'

Of the agencies pitching, WWAV has the strongest list of charity clients including Oxfam, the NSPCC, the RSPCA, Age Concern and Amnesty International.

BHWG works for the British Red Cross while ehsrealtime has no charity clients on its books.

This article was first published on Campaign