Joshua G2 wins Allianz Insurance brief

Allianz Insurance has awarded Joshua G2 its direct marketing business following a four-way competitive pitch. The agency’s initial task will be to develop the company’s car insurance business, Cornhill Direct.

It won the account following a shoot-out against Archibald Ingall Stretton, DraftFCB and Tullo Marshall Warren. The pitch was overseen by the Observatory.

Allianz Personal director Neil Brettell says the company is looking for ways to grow its direct business and chose the agency for its “strategic thinking and integrated approach to communications”.

There was no incumbent on the account. The insurer had previously worked with WWAV Rapp Collins Leeds, which is no longer in operation, as well as the Direct Agency.

Cornhill Insurance was founded in 1905 as a fire insurance company. It was the first sponsor of test cricket in the UK in 1978 and in 1997 it launched Broker Direct. It changed its name to Allianz Cornhill Insurance in 2003 and Allianz in 2007. Allianz Insurance is one of the UK’s largest general insurers and is part of Allianz SE. It has a presence in more than 70 countries.