TBWA loosens WCRS grip on £9.5m Debenhams

WCRS’ hold on Debenhams’ £9.5m advertising account is under threat after the retail group began talks with TBWA GGT Simons Palmer about the business.

It is thought the department store chain, which demerged from the Burton Group, is talking to TBWA about work on a new project, following the completion of a brand-building campaign by WCRS last year.

The chain says it traditionally deals with agencies on a project basis, with a review conducted each time a project comes up.

However, it appointed an outside agency for the first time when WCRS was hired last April to work on a campaign to build the brand following the demerger.

Until that time, Debenhams’ advertising had been handled in house, in line with the other retail chains in the Burton Group.

It is thought TBWA is being consulted on work for next season’s lines now the brand-building campaign, which cost £9.46m (ACNiel-sen-MEAL), is complete.

A spokeswoman says: “We work with these people on a project-by-project basis. We have worked with WCRS, as you know… They [advertising agencies] repitch as projects come up.”

It is not known if media, handled by TMD Carat, is under review.