Greene King to review £3m media business

Regional brewer Greene King is to review its £3m media buying account, following the group’s £182m acquisition of rival Morland.

Greene King incumbent BJK&E will pitch for the business against Morland agency Mediacom TMB. Universal and Optimedia have also been invited to pitch.

The Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator, whose portfolio includes Greene King, IPA, Abbott Ale and Old Speckled Hen, plans to spend £3m next year on TV, billboards and national press campaigns.

Pitches will take place during November and an appointment made by the end of the year.

Greene King marketing director Adam Collett says: “We felt now was the right time to look at our media as we haven’t reviewed for some time. We are looking at a considerable jump in total media buying across both groups.

“It makes sense to give both incumbents a chance to bid for the business and we are keen to get some input from other media agencies.”

Greene King bought Thames Valley independent brewer Morland in August, increasing its estate by 400 to 1,600 pubs.

Greene King’s creative account, which is handled by McCann-Erickson, will not be affected by the review.