Doner Cardwell picks up £2m finance task

Doner Cardwell Hawkins has been appointed to handle the &£2m advertising account of asset management company Threadneedle Investments.

The agency was appointed after a four-way pitch, which included incumbent Citigate Albert Frank (MW September 19). It is understood the final decision was between Doner Cardwell Hawkins and Citigate Albert Frank. The review was handled by the AAR.

Threadneedle put its advertising business up for review after marketing director Alan Mearns left. He now heads global marketing operations at Mellon Global Investments. Commercial director Richard Eats took over Mearns’ responsibilities after his departure, and was made permanent marketing director two weeks ago.

Threadneedle Investments is a subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services Group and has &£43bn under management. Other Zurich UK subsidiaries include Eagle Star Insurance and Allied Dunbar Assurance. Last week, Zurich appointed Lawrence Churchill as chief executive of its UK, Irish and international life businesses.

Threadneedle represents the first financial services client Doner Cardwell Hawkins has managed in six years, and the third piece of new business the agency has won in the past month. Last month, Doner Cardwell Hawkins won the advertising accounts for Wessex Trains (MW October 17) and storage company the Big Yellow Group. In May, it picked up the &£14m Teflon business, owned by chemicals company DuPont (MW May 17) .