Court Burkitt scoops 3m River Island

River Island, the high street fashion chain, has appointed Court Burkitt & Company to its 3m creative advertising account.

The chain, which refuses to comment on the move, is believed to be keen on creating a campaign to match the one launched last year by fashion rival Gap.

Court Burkitt is believed to have won the account in a three-way contest in December, in a pitch headed by River Island managing director Clive Lewis.

The chain operates 350 stores in the UK and is looking to expand overseas, particularly in the Middle East, where it has six stores, and Scandinavia. Its international development director Paul Currie has helped establish a franchise strategy and has been reviewing the potential for growth in Central Europe.

The brand’s target market of men and women in their 20s is notoriously difficult to reach and it is understood this could lead River Island to consider cinema advertising among its mix of media for the campaign.