Xerox seeks pan-European direct marketing shop

Xerox, the global copiers group, is looking for a direct marketing agency to work across Europe.

The company's pan-European account is currently held by Impiric, which works for Xerox as part of Young & Rubicam. It is not known whether Impiric will repitch for the business.

Xerox is believed to be in the early stages of the process of drawing up a pitch list for the business. It is unclear whether Impiric, which has produced a range of direct mail, inserts and press campaigns for Xerox, will repitch.

The review comes as Xerox attempts to turn around losses that almost hit $200 million in the last quarter of 2000. It is shedding around 6,000 jobs and expects to return to profitability by the end of this year.

Xerox's financial problems have stemmed from decreasing demand for office copying products owing to the evolution of internet messaging.

Xerox spends £1.3 million on UK advertising through Young & Rubicam. Its direct marketing spend, which is mainly business to business, is thought to be higher.

Janine Yates, Xerox's UK marketing communications manager, was unavailable for comment. Richard Bagnall-Smith, managing director of Impiric in the UK, said: "We work for Xerox as part of Y&R this is not being reviewed. Often Xerox local offices look for agencies to work on projects."

This article was first published on Campaign