RAC calls review of £5m account

RAC Motoring Services is reviewing its £5m advertising account following a change in ownership.

M&C Saatchi, which has held the business for little more than 18 months, has been invited to repitch.

The RAC, which is using the services of the Advertising Agency Register, has yet to draw up a pitch-list.

The review also follows the appointment of group marketing director Ken Lee – the former Hyundai marketing director, who joined the company in October.

Lee says: “We are using our recent change of ownership as an opportunity to review all our options and ensure we are with the right agency to move the RAC forward.”

The RAC was taken over by Lex Services last year after a proposal to sell the business to US services group Cendant was blocked by Trade & Industry Secretary Stephen Byers because it already owned breakdown organisation Green Flag.

Lex, which also sells and leases cars, paid £430m in cash, triggering a windfall of up to £35,000 for the motoring organisation’s 12,000 full members.

Media buying, which is handled by BBJ Media Services, is not included in the review.