Axa calls 18m media review

Axa, the French-owned insurance and investment company, is reviewing its 18m UK media planning and buying account. The business has been held by OMD UK since 2000.

Axa, the French-owned insurance and investment company, is reviewing its £18m UK media planning and buying account. The business has been held by OMD Connect†since 2000.

The review follows the appointment of UK marketing director Olivier Mariee in August last year. She joined from the company’s Paris office.

Axa says it is looking at its media agency arrangements as part of a new business strategy being introduced by chief executive Nicolas Moreau. It will see the focus shift away from independent financial advisers (IFA) to a direct relationship with customers.

The creative account, which is handled by Grey Australia, is not affected by the review. The agency was appointed to handle the UK account in 2005 and was already the incumbent on the Australian business. OMD Connect is a joint venture between WWAV and OMD UK.