RAC to hear five pitch for public affairs account

The RAC is reviewing its parliamentary monitoring in the run-up to

its demerger and the acquisition of its motoring services division by US

group Cendant.

The company has invited five agencies to pitch for the account,

including four-year incumbent GPC.

The acquisition of RAC Motoring Services by Cendant is currently being

investigated by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, which is due to

report early next year.

If the deal goes through, the RAC’s public affairs function is likely to

be split up. Public interest lobbying, like road safety and

environmental campaigns, will be hived off to a new, independent

charity, the RAC Foundation.

Intelligence-gathering and lobbying on commercial policy will remain

within motoring services.

The foundation and the motoring services division may share a monitoring

agency or may hire two separate agencies.

As well as its motoring services division, the RAC encompasses a

gentleman’s club and the RAC Motor Sports Association, both of which

will be demerged as independent entities alongside the RAC Foundation.