Independent media task goes to MPG

by POPPY BRECH, Marketing 31-Oct-02

Independent News & Media is poised to hand its media planning and buying business for The Independent and Independent on Sunday to Media Planning Group (MPG). It has also been seeing presentations from several creative agencies, although it denies it is reviewing its creative account.

The appointment of MPG follows its split with incumbent Manning Gottlieb OMD last week. Manning Gottlieb said it would not be renewing its contract at the end of the year, due to lack of activity. But sources close to The Independent said the newspaper had decided on the shift.

David Green,circulation and marketing director for The Independent would not comment on the newspaper's media agency arrangements.

Green confirmed that the newspaper's top executives had seen presentations from several creative agencies. However, he said he was happy with the performance of Walsh Trott Chick Smith, the incumbent on the business.

He added that the paper had been approached by agencies, rather than the other way round, following the appointment of Ivan Fallon as chief executive in August.

Green said that in the light of Fallon's appointment and in the run-up to the end of the year the paper is reviewing marketing budget and strategy, including ad arrangements.

The level of spend on The Independent in the year to date was £1.87m according to Nielsen Media Research.