Karmarama lands Kickers ad task ahead of relaunch

Karmarama is understood to have won the multi-million pound advertising business for footwear and clothing company Kickers, ahead of a brand relaunch planned for later this year.

The agency fought off competition from Farm, Quiet Storm and Albion in a pitch overseen by the AAR.

The Pentland Group-owned business has traditionally relied on word of mouth and public relations, but is looking to significantly increase its marketing spend.

The appointment is also part of a drive to re-establish the brand, and follows the opening of its first concept store, designed by Dalziel & Pow, in the Gateshead Metro Centre last spring.

The brand’s last agency of note was Mother, which won the business in October 1997 following a six-way pitch. The same year the fashion label extended its core shoe business, launching branded clothing. Mother produced the “well-stitched” campaign before Kickers took its advertising in-house to Pentland Visual Communications.

Last year, Pentland-owned swimwear brand Speedo International appointed DDB London to develop a global branding campaign. Fallon had earlier held the account, although communications during that time were developed in house.

Pentland’s other brands include Ellesse, Berghaus and sports footwear brand KangaRoos. Neither Karmarama nor Kickers were able to confirm the appointment.