Burger King in agency talks for UK consumer brief

by Donna Werbner, PR Week UK 10-Jun-05, 14:26

Burger King, the world's second-largest fast-food chain, has held talks with agencies as it prepares to hire its first retained UK consumer PR agency in two years.

The company, which currently uses Jackie Cooper PR, Euro RSCG Leedex and Noble PR, wants to consolidate its consumer support into one firm.

The chain is understood to have shortlisted Leedex, Exposure and three others.

Edelman, which handles corporate PR for BK, was not invited to pitch; nor was JCPR, its consumer arm.

BK corporate comms manager for EMEA and Asia-Pacific Dara Grogan said she had yet to decide whether to put Edelman's account up for grabs, but stressed that its brief was not currently affected by the consumer overhaul.

The winning agency will be expected to promote new menu choices and highlight the range of food on offer at BK outlets.

Consumer and brand PR manager for the UK and Europe Lesly Hughes is handling the pitch. The Grove PR Consultancy, which handles internal comms for BK, is not affected.