Boots/Granada venture starts agency trawl

Granada Media and Boots are to seek an agency for the new digital health and beauty venture they are setting up. It is expected to have a multi-million pound marketing budget as part of the &£18m operating costs in the first year.

The new company, which has yet to be named, plans to launch an information and transactional website and an interactive digital television channel specialising in health, beauty and well-being.

A spokesman for Boots Company says: “The agencies for either of the two companies might not be automatically appointed to handle the account for the new business. A decision on an agency appointment has yet to be made.” A spokesman for Granada Media adds: “The new business will make use of the existing distribution channels of Boots and Granada”.

The new company claims that revenue will come from the sale of products and services, broadcast and online advertising, and from TV programmes and online sponsorships. It will be led by joint managing directors Paula Carter, formerly the director of health business at Granada Media, and Richard Holmes, who was the managing director at Boots Internet Ventures. A marketing director and a marketing team has yet to be appointed.