RHM picks Universal for £10m task

Universal McCann has won the £10m media planning and buying business for food group RHM after a four-way pitch against Starcom Group, OMD UK and Vizeum, the incumbent.

The review, which was overseen by group marketing director Ginny Knox, was called last November after ten years with the same agency (MW November 20, 2003). The account includes the Bisto, Hovis, Mr Kipling and Sharwood’s brands.

It is understood the review will not affect any of RHM’s creative agencies. Its creative agencies include DDB London, which handles Hovis, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, which won the Bisto account last June (MW June 12, 2003), and TBWA/London, which handles Sharwood’s.

The decision to review the media account followed a series of management changes at RHM, including Knox’s promotion to group marketing director and managing director of Centura Foods. Sue Knight, the former head of Sharwood’s marketing, stepped into Knox’s previous role as Centura brands director.

RHM Bread Bakeries, which handles Hovis, Mother’s Pride and Nimble, also made a number of changes after the promotion of brands director Paula Moss to divisional marketing director (MW July 31).