WWAV loses £4m BT Business after just five months

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 19-Aug-03, 07:00

LONDON - BT Business has parted company with its below-the-line agency WWAV Rapp Collins after just five months.

The agency picked up the £4m brief at the beginning of the year after a review called by new marketing director Tim Evans, who moved from BT Retail to BT Business last September.

The work included BT Business, which targets small- and medium-sized businesses and BT Major Business, which serves large corporate customers.

WWAV's appointment marked a change in the division's strategy by awarding its business-to-business direct marketing to one agency. It had previously been shared between BT's roster agencies including Proximity and OgilvyOne.

It is understood that the review and appointment was unpopular throughout BT's marketing team, who preferred the previous arrangement leading to the two parting company, according to industry sources.

A spokeswoman for BT said the company was reconsidering its digital and design agencies, which would include a review of its DM agency.

She added that if BT decided to invite agencies to pitch, WWAV would be asked to present.

WWAV will continue to work for BT on existing projects until September.

Last week, the agency was appointed to WWF's roster in a joint pitch with sister above-the-line agency BMP to pick up the charity's £5m fundraising and repositioning work.

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