Four agencies to compete in ‘secret’ Cadbury global pitch

Cadbury Schweppes is lining up four London agencies to pitch for a “secret” global advertising project for its confectionery business, expected to be worth up to £30m.

The confectionery giant has asked Leo Burnett, Bates UK, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper and TBWA GGT Simons Palmer to present ideas.

Burnett and Bates are not on Cadbury’s UK roster of agencies.

It is not clear whether Cadbury is consolidating its global advertising business into one agency, or if this is just for a specific project.

The pitch is being run by Alan Palmer, the international marketing director for Cadbury Schweppes’ confectionery businesses worldwide.

The agencies have been invited for a meeting in France at the end of this week.

Palmer was previously the UK marketing chief but moved to head international marketing two years ago. His brief was to spearhead the international development of the Cadbury “masterbrand” and “power brands” such as Trebor and Bassett.

The cost-cutting move could mirror Cadbury Schweppes’ appointment of Young & Rubicam last year to develop a £30m global advertising campaign for Schweppes.

A Cadbury Schweppes spokeswoman declined to comment and Palmer was unavailable as Marketing Week went to press.