The two chains are reviewing agency support, apparently after learning that Duncan Murray and Andy Cornelius will leave City agency College Hill.
Murray and Cornelius are founders of now-defunct Gainsborough Communications – the agency formerly used by Debenhams and Halfords. College Hill acquired Gainsborough earlier this year (PRWeek, 3 February).
Bicycles-to-car parts seller Halfords, buoyant from an 8.5 per cent sales rise in the six months to September, is believed to be in the early stages of a pitch. The chain admitted head of PR Barbara Cadd was ‘reviewing options’.
Debenhams head of IR Lisa Williams said a review ‘made sense’ given Andy Cornelius’ departure from agency life. He will handle Debenhams’ preliminary results next week, before leaving College Hill in November.
