Mother win threatens BMP’s hold on £11m UKTV account

ITV Digital’s agency Mother has picked up a project from UKTV after pitching against BMP DDB, incumbent on the TV company’s main £11m account.

Mother has been given the task of establishing a degree of synergy between UKTV’s channels through on air promotions and idents.

It is thought that BMP, which won business from UKTV – a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Flextech Television – in March last year is to continue handling the bulk of UKTV channels, including UK Style, UK Gold, UK Horizons and UK Drama. Bds beechwood handles UK Play.

ITV Digital, which has gone into administration, could close as early as next Monday after the administrators report to the High Court and the funds set aside to keep the platform operating are due to run out.

If ITV Digital ceases to exist Mother, which handles the account, is expected to find its way back on to the pitch list for Channel 5’s £6m advertising account. It is understood that Mother’s original inclusion on the Channel 5 list raised concerns about conflict with ITV marketing and commercial director Jim Hytner (MW March 21).

The shortlist for Channel 5 is Leagas Delaney, TBWA/London and Leo Burnett. Leagas Delaney was a late entrant to the original list.