HHCL scoops Amazon’s #2m UK business

The online bookseller, Amazon.co.uk, has awarded its #2 million UK

account to HHCL & Partners.

The win follows a review out of Banks Hoggins O’Shea/FCB, which was

called earlier this summer. That agency was invited to repitch, but is

understood to have been knocked out of the running at an early

stage.

Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper and St Luke’s also pitched for the account.

The account is expected to increase in value as Amazon diversifies into

other sectors. At the moment only books are available on Amazon’s UK

site, but in the US, music, videos and, more recently, toys and consumer

electronics are on sale.

Robin Azis, chief executive of HHCL, said: ’Many web-based start-ups

have approached us. Being appointed to work on Amazon, the largest

internet brand in the world, is a real coup. Amazon is frighteningly

ambitious.’

The online book market is becoming very competitive in the UK. The

Bertelsmann-owned BOL has appointed M&C Saatchi to its #6 million

account, and WH Smith Online is also offering discounted books to

consumers.

The UK pitch was overseen by Amazon’s UK managing director, Simon

Murdoch.

In July, the UK marketing director, Chris Ketley, left the company in

mid-pitch after only four months in the job. Last week Murdoch also left

the company.

This article was first published on Campaign