Partners BDDH scoops Co-op’s retail business

The Co-op has called a review of its pounds 10 million media

account following the appointment this week of Partners BDDH to handle

its creative business.

It has also asked its two media incumbents, Motive and Robson Brown, to

present their strategies for 2000 in the next two weeks.

Partners BDDH beat Duckworth Finn Grubb Waters in a winner-takes-all

shoot-out for the combined Co-op retail account, which was previously

split between the two pitching agencies - Partners BDDH handled the

Co-operative Wholesale Society and Duckworth Finn the Co-operative

Retail Society.

New work from Partners BDDH should run before Easter 2000, matching the

’effective, rewarding, responsible’ brief and promoting the stores as

modern and vibrant with a wide product range.

Lesley Butterfield, the agency’s chairman, said: ’This is an opportunity

to bring two regional operations together to make one national

brand.’

Tim Marsden, the CWS general manager of marketing, said: ’The new

advertising will build on the achievements of 1999.’

Duckworth Finn recently launched a campaign for CRS focusing on the

convenience of its high street stores, set to the tune of Cool for Cats

by Squeeze.

Partners BDDH’s advertising for CWS featured relatives of celebrities,

including Claire Rayner’s daughter and Jeremy Beadle’s wife.

CWS and CRS pooled their marketing functions earlier this year and are

currently negotiating a full merger.

MSc, the media planning joint venture between Partners BDDH and New PHD,

has won the media strategy for the pounds 10 million Co-op retail

account.

The creative win marks Partners BDDH’s third successful repitch this

year. The agency also fought for its Mercedes Benz and Emirates Airlines

business.

Partners BDDH already handles the Co-op Bank, which is owned by CWS.

This article was first published on Campaign