The Sun drops Euro RSCG from 9m advertising pitch

Euro RSCG has lost The Sun’s £9m advertising business, three years after it was appointed. The agency’s exit from the first round of pitches, held this week, leaves WCRS, Red Brick Road and Fallon in the running.

It is understood that Euro RSCG was not involved in the formal pitch for the business but was reviewed on the work it had already carried out for the paper.

The review was called at the end of July, with the AAR brought in to contact and brief agencies. News Group Newspapers sales and marketing director, Roland Agambar is leading the process.

The yet-to-be appointed chief marketing officer for News International is expected to be involved in the appointment of the new agency. James Murdoch, chairman and chief executive, News Corporation for Europe and Asia, is expected to oversee the final appointment.

It is not clear at this stage if The Sun’s sister publication the News of the World, with an ad budget worth an estimated £4.5m, will also be reviewed. But with Euro RSCG now off The Sun business, the winning agency could scoop both businesses from the Havas-owned agency.

Euro RSCG this month launched TV spot to promote its 30p cover price. The TV ad, with the strapline “All for just 30p” was launched together with new radio and outdoor advertising.

The tabloid newspaper continues to remain stronger than its competitors in the circulation stakes. In the six months to September Audit Bureau of Circulations figures it reported a 0.2% month-on-month rise. It also recorded a year-on-year rise of 0.68% to 3,133,776.