BBH scoops 47m UK Vodafone account

Vodafone has handed its £47m UK advertising account to Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) after a pitch against incumbent JWT. BBH already handles the mobile giant’s global advertising business.

Vodafone’s UK called the pitch, which was overseen by head of brand and marketing communications Dominic Chambers, in October. Initially, it was thought that the two agencies would contest each piece of UK-specific business but Vodafone’s global director of brand and customer experience David Wheldon confirms BBH has been appointed to handle the entire UK account. Wheldon is understood to have worked with Chambers on the pitch.

The news is a further blow to WPP-owned JWT, which has also lost Reckitt Benckiser, Weight Watchers and Rice Krispies this year. But Wheldon says JWT will remain Vodafone’s "network partner" and adds that the agency has just been appointed to handle its business in Turkey.

JWT won the international Vodafone account in May 2002, while BBH was added to the company’s roster without a pitch in September 2004.