Simons Palmer tipped to win 4m LDV work

Commercial vehicle maker LDV – formerly known as Leyland Daf Vans – is tipped to have picked Simons Palmer Denton Clemmow & Johnson to handle its account worth about 4m.

Simons Palmer was chosen from a shortlist including Mustoe Merriman Herring Levy and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe.

Agencies were asked to pitch with strategic recommendations, rather than creative ideas, for Birmingham-based LDV, which manufactures vans and minibuses.

The company was set up after a management buyout two years ago. It aims to take on high-profile brands such as Mercedes and Ford.

LDV spent 700,000 in the year to June through Connect of Wolverhampton. Prior to that, its account was handled by KMM.

The media planning and buying account is yet to be decided. Manning Gottlieb Media, Pattison Horswell Durden and TMD Carat Manchester all pitched.

LDV marketing director Malcolm Jefferies refused to comment.