London Electricity reviews advertising after shake-up

The London Electricity (LE) Group is in talks with both creative and media agencies about reviewing its LE and SWEB accounts, worth &£1.8m. However, the group’s Virgin Energy brand will not be affected by the review.

The review will be overseen by the group sales and marketing director Gary Tubb. LE’s incumbent is First City Advertising, which handles creative work and media for the brand. Interfocus is the incumbent for SWEB.

The decision follows the recent promotion of Tubb, who was formerly Virgin Energy marketing director (MW November 15, 2001). Tubb was handed overall responsibility for the marketing of all three LE Group brands.

Tubb’s move followed Virgin Energy managing director Jon Kinsey’s promotion to the role of LE Group managing director in October (MW October 18, 2001).

Virgin Energy, which hired Leo Burnett for a brief estimated to be worth about &£10m in 2000, is relying exclusively on telephone sales and door-to-door marketing. Manning Gottlieb Media handles the brand’s media business. LE made its TV debut in December 1998, when it began sponsoring LWT’s weekend weather reports.

Scottish Power is planning to review its agency business, worth &£4m. The creative work is handled by The Bridge, and media by Starcom Motive. The company cut 500 jobs last week, following tough competition in the energy market. It plans to slash its advertising and marketing budgets and work with agencies on a project basis.

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