Children’s Mutual 5m agency hunt

The Children’s Mutual, the children’s savings specialist, is seeking an advertising agency to handle its estimated £5m creative brand-building task.

The pitch is being handled by the AAR. There is no advertising incumbent. The company uses marketing agency Crazy Horse for its direct marketing, and external consultancy Consolidated its PR. The Children’s Mutual says neither will be affected.

The company, which received Government authorisation as a Child Trust Fund provider in 2004, confirmed it is looking at a number of options. Gillian Ford, head of communications says: “We’re at a stage in our development where we are looking to expand our portfolio of integrated marketing activity.”

The Children’s Mutual partnered with Co-Operative Bank to offer the first ethical Child Trust Fund (CTF) in 2005. It was launched online and in Co-Op branches. The company assisted the Government during the consultation process. Company products are available both direct and through financial advisers. It has also developed strategic distribution partnerships with other organisations including Boots, Mothercare, Lloyds TSB, AXA and some regional building societies to give retail consumer access to its products.