Threadneedle reviews its ad strategy

Threadneedle Investments, the American Express-owned asset management company, is in talks with agencies over its advertising business.

The financial services company has confirmed that it is talking to agencies about its marketing communications, but adds that the process is in its early stages.

It is believed to be reviewing a number of communication projects, of which advertising is one. It is not known if a review would be limited to the UK or held across the asset management’s European business.

It is understood Threadneedle, which was bought by American Express Financial Corporation in 2003, is also considering its overall brand strategy and marketing mix.

It works with a number of undisclosed agencies on a project basis. A spokeswoman says/ “We are talking to agencies on many fronts. We don’t have anything to announce on the marketing or advertising yet.”

It spent just £91,000 on advertising in the UK last year, according to Nielsen figures, although this sum is expected to rise sharply.

Threadneedle was founded in 1994 and manages assets for a wide range of clients, including pension funds, insurance companies and private investors.