Bendicks splits up with Leagas after 10 years

Leagas Delaney has resigned the Bendicks of Mayfair chocolate account after ten years. The agency and Bendicks say the split follows disagreements about future campaigns.

Bendicks recently appointed Anne Hollamby, former marketing director of Yoplait Dairy Crest, as its new head of marketing. It declines to say whether Leagas was fired from the account, or whether the search is under way for a new agency to handle the &£1.5m account.

It is unclear whether MBS Media, which handles media buying and planning on Bendicks, is affected.

Nick Hough, managing director of Leagas says: “It has become clear to us over the past year or so that our idea of what constitutes creative and effective advertising differs markedly from that of the Bendicks team.”

Paul Seftel, managing director of Bendicks, adds: “We are unable to agree on the best way forward for the brand and therefore it is best we part company.”

Leagas will not reveal whether it is pitching for the Tic Tac account at rival confectioner Ferrero UK, where former Bendicks marketing director Neil McIntosh is now head of marketing. The Tic Tac account – believed to be worth about &£2m – is up for review, but no one at Ferrero was available for comment. Banks Hoggins O’Shea/FCB is the incumbent on the Ferrero Rocher brand.