BMP DDB wins Harvey Nichols

BMP DDB has won the £1m Harvey Nichols advertising account, following a pitch against TBWA/London. The move is likely to mean the end of the stuffed-doll characters Harvey and Hibby, known for their cheeky exclamations like “Gross”, “Nice H

BMP DDB has won the &£1m Harvey Nichols advertising account, following a pitch against TBWA/London.

The move is likely to mean the end of the stuffed-doll characters Harvey and Hibby, known for their cheeky exclamations like “Gross”, “Nice Helmut” and “Bitch”.

Media buying is not affected by the move and will remain with Rocket.

Earlier this year, Mother resigned the Harvey Nichols account over creative differences. The agency won the account in June 1999 after a pitch against Fallon, Wieden & Kennedy and incumbent Harari Page.

The Harvey and Hibby duo, created by Mother, have been credited with raising the profile of the upmarket Knightsbridge store in a competitive market, which includes Harrods and Selfridges.

Last month, the store opened its first electronics concession under the Play Ground brand. The range of products on sale at Harvey Nichols will include hi-fi equipment and DVD players.

In May this year, the store was forced to take down a high-profile billboard-advertising poster, which completely covered the front of the building, following a ruling in the Court of Appeal (MW May 24).

Mega Profile, the company responsible for the site, put up the giant ad for fashion label Versace last November, to shroud alterations to Harvey Nichols’ facade. By law, the store is obliged to cover scaffolding to protect the public. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s planning department raised the objections to the site, arguing that the images on it meant that it was an advertisement.