Mediaedge:cia wins Blockbuster account

come under threat from online DVD rental and retail companies Screen
Select and Amazon. The market is believed to be worth more than $1bn a year in the US and Europe.

Blockbuster UK spent nearly £5m on media in the past year, according
to Nielsen Media Research, the majority of it on outdoor.

The company this week cofirmed plans to at least double the spend, with a
far bigger presence on TV, online and in press anticipated.

A major TV campaign has already kicked off this month, under Walker, and
will continue in the run-up to Christmas, with the WPP agency taking over
in November.

Blockbuster has reacted to the arrival of competition on the web by
ramping up its own online offering at Blockbuster.co.uk.

Around the world, Blockbuster stores have also been moving towards an
increased focus on retail.

Ireland's biggest DVD rental chain, Blockbuster UK's sister company,
Xtra-vision, last month signed a retail distribution agreement to sell 3G
phone giant 3's products in its 150-plus stores.

Executives from the company are understood to be playing an increasingly
influential role within Blockbuster management. The fact that
Mediaedge:cia's Irish business already worked with Xtra-vision is believed
to have been a factor in the account move.

Toby Jenner, operations director at Mediaedge:cia, said: "We're delighted
to be working with Blockbuster UK at such an important time for the
company and feel confident that we can help further develop their
entertainment proposition."

The win caps a good month for the WPP agency which recently picked up the
£28m UK business for Danone, the parent company of brands including
Evian mineral water and Actimel.