Gola prepares to double ad spend for its centenary year

Gola, the sportswear brand, is reviewing its advertising account and doubling its marketing budget as it gears up to celebrate its centenary next year. The account will be worth about &£1m.

The review, which is being overseen by Gola chief marketer Donna Hill, is in its early stages and there is no shortlist.

Incumbent agency Huddersfield-based Junction Advertising Group, which was appointed to the account in January last year (MW January 23, 2003), is not being invited to repitch.

Hill says she is looking for an agency that has previous experience of working with a fashion brand and which will help Gola to develop a campaign that will be visually different and standout from its competitors’ advertising campaigns.

Hill has been working to build Gola’s fashion credentials since she joined the brand, which is owned by Lancashire-based company D Jacobson & Sons, in 2000. She launched a range of clothing soon after joining the sportswear company. Recent campaigns have focused on its Gola Classic range of fashion trainers.

Gola plans to release a book looking that the brand’s history to celebrate its centenary. It will also look at its heritage as a sports brand, including its time as the kit sponsor for football comic, Roy of the Rovers.