The Hartford seeks agency for UK launch

The Hartford Financial Services Group, one of the largest investment and insurance companies in the US, is searching for an advertising agency to launch its brand in the UK.

The hunt is overseen by John Enos, managing director of marketing at The Hartford Europe. It is understood that the company has already drawn up a list of agencies.

A spokesman for the company confirms that it has sent out a tender for an ad agency. Sources close to the pitch say that the company wants to establish a presence in the UK for the first time.

Although the company’s stag logo is a well-known US icon, the company has never been active in the UK. But it has set up an office in London. The source adds: “The Hartford hopes to follow in the footsteps of other large US insurance companies such as Fidelity Insurance.”

The Hartford uses Arnold Worldwide to handle its US advertising, which is focused on corporate campaigns in newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and television channels such as CNN and CNBC.