AMV.BBDO faces threat to £7m Halfords account

Halfords is understood to be considering a review of its £7m advertising account held by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO.

Halfords is understood to be considering a review of its &£7m advertising account held by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO.

The move comes after a restructure at the company in May, which resulted in the departure of marketing and merchandising director David Clayton-Smith and chief executive Rod Scribbins (MW May 1). Lynn Hayzelden is now general manager, marketing.

As part of the rejig, up to 80 redundancies were also made at Halfords’ head office following the bicycle and car accessory retailer’s acquisition by CVC Capital Partners from Boots last year.

Industry sources claim that Halfords has begun making inquiries about suitable agencies.

However, a spokesman for Halfords says: “I can categorically deny that we are reviewing our advertising or media agencies.”

Halfords, which uses OMD UK to buy its media, is understood to be working on a Christmas campaign with AMV.

Under chief executive David Hamid, the retailer is pushing ahead with a new superstore format with mezzanine trading space and the roll-out of a new Halfords Metro fascia for its 46 high street locations. New product lines such as satellite navigation systems and car racing seats are also being tested. The company has also moved into the outdoor leisure market with hiking sub-brand Urban.