Universal gets £7m Coca-Cola job

Zenith Media has lost £7 million worth of planning and buying business for Coca-Cola’s recently acquired Cadbury-Schweppes brands to Universal McCann without a pitch.

The brands, which include the Dr Pepper and Oasis soft drinks, Schweppes mixers and tonic water brand Canada Dry, were among those acquired by Coke earlier this year for £1.16 billion.

TV and print advertising in the UK is to pass to Universal McCann early next year. Universal McCann, Coke’s UK roster agency, already handles the planning and buying for Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Cherry-Cola, Fanta, Five Alive, Lilt and Sprite.

This article was first published on Media Week