Universal McCann drinks in more business from Coke

Coca-Cola has handed Universal McCann eight more of its brands and

allocated a planning/buying spend of around pounds 15 million.

The media agency already controls planning and buying for Coca-Cola,

Diet Coke, Cherry Coke, Five Alive, Lilt and Sprite.

Now it will take on the media account for Dr Pepper, Kia- Ora, Capri

Sun, Canada Dry, Schweppes Tonic, Schweppes Lemonade, Oasis and Malvern

Water.

Universal McCann declined to comment on details of the campaign but it

is thought media activity will revolve around television and press.

The agency’s existing Coca-Cola team will assume responsibility for the

new additions. The unit consists of media account directors Peter Cory

and Jason Gonsalves and Richard Oliver, Universal’s associate director

of TV.

The eight new soft drinks were part of Zenith Media’s portfolio but

Coca-Cola decided to move the products into Universal - its roster

agency - without a pitch.

The decision stems from the fact that Coca-Cola Great Britain bought the

beverages from Cadbury Schweppes for pounds 1.6 billion in a deal struck

around a year ago, and wanted to consolidate the business into a single

agency.

This article was first published on Campaign