Ryanair reviews 1.5m Griffin Bacal task

No-frills budget airline Ryanair is reviewing its 1.5m full ser vice account out of Griffin Bacal after almost four years with the agency.

The Dublin-based company is understood to have shortlisted the incumbent, McCann-Erickson and its media division Universal McCann, and one other team to pitch for the business.

Earlier this month Ryanair revealed it had boosted seat sales in the traditionally depressed winter season to a record 100,000 thanks to its Friends Fly Free campaign.

Other imaginative marketing stunts include the deal with Jaguar where Ryanair planes were used as giant flying billboards for the car company’s green cat logo.

A claim that advertising by the family-owned airline was misleading was rejected by the Advert ising Standards Authority last year.

A member of the public complained about the use of the title “Glasgow Prestwick” airport, saying the Ayrshire airport was not close to the city.

There was no one available for comment at Ryanair as Marketing Week went to press.

Griffin Bacal won the UK account after a three-way pitch against Bowden Dyble Hayes and Austin Knight Advertising subsidiary AKB (MW April 9 1993).