Publicis wins Eurotunnel £2m ad brief
Eurotunnel Group has appointed Publicis to its marketing account, including its &£2m UK advertising spend, ahead of the channel tunnel operator’s plans to expand its business interests.
Eurotunnel Group is made up of Folkestone-based Eurotunnel Plc and Paris-based Eurotunnel SA. It runs the Channel Tunnel drive-on train Le Shuttle and hosts the Eurostar passenger service.
Publicis won the business after a four-way pitch against incumbent KPL Euro RSCG, Partners BDDH/Partners Andrews Aldridge working with devarrieuxvillaret and TBWA/GGT working with Jump France (MW 11 July, 2002). OMD Gemini and OMD France retain the media planning and buying account.
The pitch was overseen by Eurotunnel commercial director Rob Lamond, with the help of Agency Assessments International. Publicis will develop television, press, radio, online and direct marketing work.
The tunnel opened nine years ago, but the operation has fallen short of the Eurostar passenger numbers and rail freight tonnage originally predicted. Among other factors, Eurotunnel has suffered from the disruption generated by the Sangatte refugee centre in northern France.
Eurotunnel has applied for a licence to operate its own freight trains between England and France with a view to extending across Europe. It is also examining setting up a shopping centre in northern France.
