PHD, Vizeum win £25m BMW brief

BMW has awarded PHD its &£25m strategic planning account, and Vizeum has retained the marque’s media buying business following a three-month review.

PHD’s sister agency Rocket has secured planning duties for BMW-owned Mini as part of the review, with Vizeum again holding on to the media buying business. The incumbent on the planning accounts for both BMW and Mini was Element Communications.

The review was handled by the AAR. Vizeum pitched against Starcom and Zenith Optimedia to retain the media buying for both brands.

Element, a joint venture between WCRS and Naked, was created in December to handle the media planning and buying business for BMW. Vizeum, under its previous name BBJ, won the BMW account in 2000 after pitching with Carat International, which won the European business.

Earlier this year, BMW appointed Lida, M&C Saatchi’s direct marketing arm, to handle its below-the-line business for Mini. It also appointed HPS Marketing to handle the &£5m dealership account for the BMW brand in August (MW August 11).

BMW recorded strong UK sales last month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, selling 4,045 cars, compared with 2,839 for the same period in 2004. Mini sales were down nine per cent in August, but its 2005 sales remain steady at 28,502, compared with 26,873 for the same period in 2004.

A BMW spokesman could not confirm the appointments, but it is understood that an announcement will be made at the end of the week.