Agencies chase 3m Debenhams

Debenhams has begun talking to agencies about its advertising account, currently at TBWA Simons Palmer.

The department store began reappraising its 3m agency roster last summer, following the departure of advertising and promotions director Alison Dow.

Knight Leach Delaney won part of the business last May, but it went back to TBWA when the agency shut down five months later. TBWA was first appointed in 1995 to develop the store’s TV advertising campaign.

Chairman of TBWA Simons Palmer Jonathan Hoare confirms that Debenhams is reviewing the account. He claims the store is specifically looking at moving its advertising in-house, though other agen- cies are understood to have been approached about the business.

It is understood that the Burton Group’s recently acquired mail order clothing company Racing Green is also looking for an advertising agency for its 1m account.

Debenhams’ holding company Burton cleared out the store’s top marketing executives last year to create the new position of visual and promotions director six months before the marketing director’s post was axed.

Debenhams has also begun a revamp of its stores, which will roll out nationally.