A&L starts up talks with DM agencies

Alliance & Leicester is in preliminary talks with direct marketing agencies about a review of its 12m business. – The building society-turned-bank currently uses Publicis Financial for life assurance and pension products, and JDA for its loans

Alliance & Leicester is in preliminary talks with direct marketing agencies about a review of its 12m business.

The building society-turned-bank currently uses Publicis Financial for life assurance and pension products, and JDA for its loans. It has also worked with Tri-Direct in the past.

It is understood to be talking to a range of direct marketing agencies prior to a realignment. A&L refuses to comment, and it is not clear whether the incumbents will be invited to repitch.

Last month the bank appointed former Sekonda Watches marketing director Nick Smith as head of direct marketing, advertising and sales promotion. The former head of direct marketing, Simon Knibbs, moved to the position of head of product marketing.

Both report to director of strategic marketing Tim Pile.

A&L has struck a deal with mail order company Grattan on advertising its financial products inside catalogues. The deal will cover car and home insurance, with the offer of unsecured loans to existing customers.