Scottish Power draws up shortlist for £4m ad pitch
Scottish Power is conducting a review of its above-the-line advertising account, believed to be worth &£4m.
The business is held by Glasgow-based agency The Bridge, which first won the work in 2001. The Bridge’s contract term has ended, prompting the review, according to a spokesman for Scottish Power. The review is being handled by agency intermediary Creative Briefs.
The spokesman says a shortlist of agencies, including The Bridge, has been drawn up. He adds: “We have an excellent relationship with the agency.” He declined to name any other shop on the shortlist, but says: “We are approaching the review with an open mind.”
Last month, Scottish Power, which has 5.2 million customers, was the latest utility provider to raise its prices, hiking them by 15% for gas and 8% for electricity. The move followed a similar rise instigated five months earlier.
All utilities companies have been forced to raise their prices as wholesale gas prices have gone up by up to 95%, and electricity by up to 85%, since 2003.
Last week, the Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint from Scottish Power and four of its customers regarding a Scottish Gas/British Gas TV ad. British Gas has been forced to ditch the campaign, created by Clemmow Hornby Inge, as it implies there is no material difference in prices between energy suppliers, and that customers are unlikely to save money by shopping around to compare prices.
