Telewest Broadband has initiated a full-scale review of its public
affairs agencies in light of changing legislation in the industry.
Seven agencies have been invited to pitch for the new business.
Recently rebranded from Telewest Communications, the firm is seeking one
or more public affairs companies to provide external support in the
corridors of power in England, Scotland and the EU.
Pitches are due to take place by the end of the month for contracts due
to start in the New Year.
'We are not restricting ourselves to one contract, but looking for
sufficient coverage in the UK and Brussels. At the moment, we have
picked seven candidates who we believe can deliver what we want,' said
Telewest Broadband head of public affairs Charles Wilby.
In Brussels and Edinburgh, Telewest has been using independent
consultants, while in Westminster it has been working with public
affairs specialist Butler Kelly, which is believed to be taking part in
the pitch.
Wilby said: 'We want these external advisers to help and assist us in
having a say in the public debate. The brief is vague, simply for the
agencies to tell us what is happening in the market through informed and
competitive pitches.
'We want to work with agencies that can keep us updated on
developments,' he added.
In the UK, a new Communications Bill will be drafted next year designed
to merge the telecommunications and broadcasting acts into one while the
five different regulators governing the industry are expected to be
consolidated into the proposed super regulator Ofcom.
Telewest, headed by group chief executive Adam Singer, has 1.7 million
UK household customers and owns, or has joint venture agreements to
operate a dozen TV channels, including Living, Challenge and Bravo.
