JWT wins $150m global Nokia account

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 09-Aug-07, 14:30

LONDON - JWT has scooped Nokia's $150m (£74m) global advertising account following a protracted pitch which began in January.

The appointment of the WPP Group agency comes one month after Wieden & Kennedy was appointed as the global lead creative agency on Nokia's £175m handset business.

Nokia split its network and handset business into two and shortlisted DDB, JWT and Bates Asia/Grey for the network distribution global account.

JWT will support the lead agencies in the implementation and localisation of global campaigns. The agency will also support local marketing campaigns in 95 markets worldwide.

The agency will begin handling the account during the Autumn, with the transition expected to be completed by January 2008.

The win does not affect IPG Team Nokia, comprising Lowe, R/GA, Jack Morton and Rivet, which remains the global agency of record for the Nokia Nseries.

15:30 UPDATE: JWT is planning to set up an agency within JWT to run the business, based in London.

Deborah Huret, previously client service director on the Diamond Trading Company account, has been promoted to global business director, to run the business.

Craig Davis and Guy Murphy will complete the core team on the Nokia account, with support from Keith Wilkins, Rob Alexander, Hilary Walton and core teams from each region.

The win will allow JWT to expand beyond its key markets in the UK and US to markets where the agency has never had a major presence before, such as Russia, Nigeria, China and India.

16:45 UPDATE: DDB has been apppointed by Nokia to handle the global strategic and creative briefs in Brazil.