DoT snubs COI over car-crime ads plan
The Department of Transport (DoT) has once again defied COI Communications by plotting to launch its own vehicle-crime prevention campaign, even though a similar, high-profile campaign is already run by the Home Office through the COI. The DoT’s defiance is likely to prove incoming COI chief executive Alan Bishop’s first major challenge when he takes up the reins early next year.
Earlier this year, the DoT broke away from the COI, which traditionally handles advertising for all government departments, and appointed its own roster of agencies (MW May 2).
At the time, the move was seen by many in the industry as a setback for the COI, as it marked the first time a government department had set up its own roster of agencies independently.
The Home Office launched its &£5m car-crime prevention campaign in October, as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce vehicle crime (MW October 10). Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R created the ads, which carry the tagline: “Whenever you leave your car, lock your car.” The campaign, which includes TV, radio and poster campaign, also pioneered the use of street parking meters and pay-and-display units as an advertising medium.
A spokesman for the DoT says: “The Home Office runs a very general campaign about crime prevention, our campaign will be about tackling issues such as car-ownership crimes. Agencies on our roster will be invited to pitch for the business.” The media for the new campaign will be handled Carat.
The roster includes Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper, Rainey Kelly, WCRS, BMP DDB and the now-defunct D’Arcy. The spend for the campaign has yet to be decided.
