Healthcare provider hunts first ad agency

Healthcare services provider Capio is seeking its first advertising agency as it looks to raise its profile among professionals.

The pan-European company, which is based in London and employs 16,000 people, is finalising a shortlist of agencies ahead of a formal pitch that will take place in the next few weeks.

Capio is only looking for a creative agency, as it already uses Media Strategy to handle media communications. The agency is handling the pitch alongside Capio’s in-house marketing team.

Rather than target people under the NHS Patients’ Choice scheme – which allows patients to consider several venues offered by their GP for treatment – Capio is aiming to inform health professionals about its services. It will initially run a trade press campaign.

A spokeswoman says: “We are identifying agencies and will be looking to pitch.” She would not disclose the budget. Under a contract with the NHS, Capio hopes to treat 95,000 patients before 2010 and carry out 9,000 operations in partnership with the health service.