BMP faces 9m Thomson review

Holiday company Thomson is reviewing its 9m advertising account out of BMP DDB, fuelling speculation that parent company Thomson Travel Group is about to float.

It is understood that Thomson has drawn up a shortlist of HHCL & Partners, Abbott Mead Vickers. BBDO, and the incumbent.

Marketing director Shaun Powell says: “We are facing an increasing shift in the way we wish to market Thomson and we are asking three agencies to help us with our advertising strategy.”

A City source close to the company says an advertising review is a logical move for the company. Thomson has aggressively defended its market share in the past and as a non-quoted company has been in a better position than its quoted rivals to compete on price. To maintain its market share as a floated company Thomson is likely to increase advertising exposure.

Powell refuses to comment on speculation that the advertising review was precipitated by flotation plans, although he admits more TV advertising may be included in the future.

He adds that Thomson has no immediate plans to move the media buying account out of BMP Optimum, although he says “everything is possible”.

Thomson Travel Group is made up of Thomson Holidays, charter airline Britannia Airways and travel agency chain Lunn Poly.