…as Optimedia grabs 7m brief to launch Siemens mobile phones

Optimedia is understood to have won the 7m media buying for German electronics company Siemens, which is to launch its mobile phones in the UK this month.

David Ball, UK general manager of Siemens GPT CSL division, says: “Our main strength, as with all German manufacturers, is that we can offer a very high quality product at a cost-effective price.”

The phones will be sold through main retail outlets, such as Dixons and Carphone Warehouse. The launch includes press, posters and TV through Impact FCA!

In Europe, Siemens and Nokia are the principal competitors in the mobile phones market.

Last year, Siemens announced that it would form a strategic partnership with Mercury Communications by buying 75 per cent of a Mercury division which sells and maintains private exchanges and telephone handsets.

Siemens is also a minority shareholder in GPT, the UK’s largest telecoms manufacturer.

Last week, Optimedia won the 10m pan-European advertising account for Ralph Lauren haute couture (MW November 29).

Optimedia managing director Simon Mathews was unavailable for comment.