Britannia hands ad business to McCann

Britannia Building Society has moved its £9m advertising business out of Walsh Trott Chick Smith (WTCS) and into McCann-Erickson Manchester without a pitch.

Both agencies have been working together after McCann-Erickson Manchester won the building society’s below-the-line business last year. McCann will now be responsible for all Britannia’s advertising and promotional activity.

The move follows a review of the building society’s advertising, which is overseen by its managing director Tim Franklin (MW July 10). Britannia also has a head of marketing, Alan Long, who reports to Franklin.

WTCS produced an award-winning campaign last year using animated pigs by Aardman Animation and a “ska” version of Rule Britannia.

Franklin was responsible for the introduction of the Britannia’s tradesmen referral service, which offers members the ability to source approved plumbers and builders from its branch network. Britannia also has a homes removal service.

Britannia offers mortgages, savings, loans, credit cards and insurance. It also has a link up with Manchester United to offer its supporters discounted mortgage rates.

Britannia is the second-largest building society in the country after Nationwide with 2.1 million members. Britannia uses Manning Gottlieb OMD for its media buying and planning.