Zenith threat as Lloyds TSB selects TMS for media task

Lloyds TSB Scotland has appointed The Media Shop to handle its Wholesale Bank media planning and buying, raising further questions over the financial giant’s relationship with Zenith Optimedia UK.

Zenith Optimedia handles Lloyds TSB’s media planning and buying, although the group, the UK’s fourth-largest high street bank, has approached the AAR to review its communications planning brief (MW April 7).

The Media Shop’s brief is to raise awareness of Wholesale Bank among existing and potential corporate customers in Scotland. The first campaign, which will start immediately, will focus on broadsheet press, business magazines and 96-sheet sites across Scottish cities.

A spokesman for the agency says it has never handled any of the group’s Scottish business. He adds: “This is a local appointment. In the past they have used local Scottish agencies.”

The bank’s communications planning review through the AAR is still in its early stages. No agencies have been approached to pitch for the business and Zenith Optimedia is said to have retained its buying brief. Earlier this year Lloyds began an internal review of its entire roster of agencies, which includes Partners Andrews Aldridge, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R and WWAV Rapp Collins, as well as agencies that have worked with Lloyds TSB on individual projects.