JWT benefits as BBH loses Smirnoff brief

by John Tylee, Campaign 01-Sep-06

Diageo has consolidated its £20 million Smirnoff business into JWT, ending Bartle Bogle Hegarty's 19-month tenure of the Smirnoff Ice account.

The switch is a prelude to the drinks giant putting more spend behind
new Smirnoff-branded products and less to support the youth-oriented
Smirnoff Ice.

JWT takes back the Smirnoff Ice account, along with Smirnoff Ice Triple

Black, Smirnoff Twisted V and Smirnoff Raw Tea in the US.

Diageo said the change had been precipitated by a review of its agency
conflict policy. Reassigning the business will allow BBH to continue to
work with InBev, although the agency will continue to handle creative
work for Diageo's Johnnie Walker and Baileys Original Irish Cream
brands.

JWT, which already handles Smirnoff Red, will split the enlarged account
between its London and New York offices.

James Thompson, Diageo's president, global marketing, white spirits and
ready-to-drink, said: "JWT's work has been integral to helping us drive
Smirnoff vodka to become the number-one premium spirit in the
world."

Smirnoff Ice is believed to have had a tough time sustaining its success
in the faddish, competitive youth market. BBH's work for the brand
focused on an eccentric Russian, Uri, and his best friend, Gorb.

JWT, which has spent the past 18 months focusing on higher creative
standards, has a recent record of award-winning work on Smirnoff Red,
having picked up two silvers and a bronze at Cannes during the past two
years.

"The spend on Smirnoff Ice may go down, but this will be compensated by
spending on a number of new brand extensions," an industry source
said.

- Leader, page 18.