Helen of Troy seeks media buying agency

Electrical goods company Helen of Troy is looking for a media agency to handle its &£1m planning and buying account, following the appointment of marketing chief Claire Kelly.

As head of UK marketing, Kelly will help oversee the review of its media agency arrangements. She joins from pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers, where she held a variety of marketing positions on brands such as All Bar One and O’Neill’s.

Helen of Troy, which sells a range of electrical goods under brands such as Vidal Sassoon and Scholl, uses London-based Acumen to handle its media planning and buying, with creative handled by Advertising Principles. The creative account is not thought to be under review.

Most recently, Helen of Troy launched a &£1.2m television ad campaign in October to support two of its Vidal Sassoon ranges, the Hair Hydration and Maximum collections, which it licenses from packaged goods giant Procter & Gamble.

A spokesman for Helen of Troy refuses to confirm or deny that the company has plans to review its media arrangements “at the moment”, although adds that the review “should not reflect badly on the agency”.