Start-up Isobel beats four to Wembley Stadium

Start-up agency Isobel is understood to have won the advertising account for Wembley National Stadium to develop a campaign to sell seats at the venue. It is the agency’s first client win.

Isobel beat off competition from Fallon, Delaney Lund Knox Warren, Grey Worldwide London and Soul to win the business. The review was overseen by Wembley National Stadium marketing director Jonathan Hill, who was previously head of IMG’s football division in Europe.

Wembley, which is owned by the Football Association (FA), is looking for individual buyers for the 17,000 premium seats in the stadium. FA marketing and communications manager Nick Barron says the campaign will focus on print, radio and direct mail. He adds that some TV advertising is possible.

The FA has already sold the majority of the corporate hospitality packages at Wembley, but will continue looking for a group of founding and official sponsors for the stadium, which is due to reopen in 2006.

Isobel was set up by former Banks Hoggins O’Shea/FCB managing partners Steve Hastings and Paul Houlding and creative partners Rob Fletcher and Dave Alexander. The partners are equal shareholders in the agency and no outside investment is being sought.

The inspiration for the name comes from them all knowing someone called Isobel (MW last week).