FCB Wilken’s Kia win puts grip on 100m Seat in doubt

FCB’s sister agency in Hamburg has been hired to create a pan-European ad campaign for the south Korean car maker Kia, which is threatened by a takeover from its Korean rival Hyundai.

The FCB appointment throws into doubt the FCB Wilkens network’s grip on the 100m pan-European Seat account, which is being pitched in Spain at the moment.

It is understood that the Spanish management of the Volkswagen-owned Seat are still deciding between FCB and Bates, although a third agency is now believed to be under consideration.

Kia Cars advertising is handled by Mountain View in the UK. The appointment of FCB Wilkens Hamburg came through its affiliate agency in Seoul, Han-Nin, which already handles the Kia account in its home market.

FCB international president Harry Reid says there will be discussions with Kia and Seat about potential conflicts. “We are helping the agency in Seoul – we are just giving some advice.”