Publicis Blueprint loses Butlins title

by John Reynolds, Media Week 17-Jun-08, 07:30

LONDON - Publicis Blueprint has suffered yet another blow to its customer publishing business with the loss of Butlins' 2009 family holiday brochures - it has a two-million print run - to rival August Media.

August Media extended its portfolio of Butlins titles after winning a two-way pitch against the incumbent.

Publicis Blueprint has lost and resigned a number of key accounts, following the discovery of financial irregularities at the company earlier this year.

The discovery led to the axing of about a third of its 110 staff, the departure of chief executive Jason Frost, and a change in strategy, away from advertising-funded to fee-based contracts.

Media Week last week revealed the customer publisher had lost the brief for Homebase, which followed the resignation of accounts to publish ad-funded hotel chain magazines De Vere Deluxe, Mal Life and Du Vin. The publisher still holds accounts for HP, Asda and Debenhams.

The brief for Butlins' family brochure, which is fee-based, is thought to be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Its two million copies, which contain information on Butlins' three UK resorts, are distributed during the year through travel agencies and direct mail. August Media has recently won a number of briefs for Butlins and now publishes four titles for the holiday company.