DMB&B close to picking up Sci-Fi Channel

DMB&B is tipped to win the estimated 1m account to handle the Sci-Fi Channel.

The two-year-old cable and satellite station spoke to four agencies including CDP, and at an earlier stage, HHCL & Partners and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Both HHCL and BBH withdrew from the conversations without pitching. HHCL withdrew when it was shortlisted to handle the estimated 10m ITV advertising account (MW November 13) and BBH after initial talks.

The motivation for the appointment is to raise the profile of the station in an increasingly competitive market, where stations are having to promote themselves in order to be included in bundles of cable channels and put in front of consumers.

The appointment, expected to be confirmed later this week, will end a dormant period in the channel’s marketing activity. It used Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper to launch the station in 1995 – the agency was not involved in the recent pitch.