Starcom moots Scottish office
The Starcom MediaVest Group is looking at setting up in Scotland in order to service existing clients, including Scottish Power.
The group is understood to be considering opening a separate office or entering a joint venture with another specialist agency, such as Faulds Media.
Starcom Motive handles media for NatWest’s retail and corporate services, which is expected to come up for review following the acquisition of the National Westminster Bank by the Royal Bank of Scotland in March. Faulds Media holds RBS’ retail and corporate banking accounts.
It is understood SMG is not considering entering the market through acquisition at the moment.
Mark Cranmer, chief executive of Starcom MediaVest Group Europe, says: “I would not rule out Starcom MediaVest Group having a business interest in Scotland because it’s an exciting business area at the moment.”
Starcom Motive also handles the &£20m Scottish Power account. Sister agency MediaVest faces a review of its &£45m planning and buying account for Edinburgh-based Scottish Courage.
Any new Scottish office is likely to operate under the Starcom name, as Starcom and MediaVest operations are being merged in most markets outside the US and England. This follows Leo Burnett’s acquisition of MacManus Group last year and the formation of BCOM 3.
A move into the Scottish market would come hot on the heels of Carat, which bought Scottish agency Feather Brooksbank in November in a reported &£7.5m deal.
