Ad agencies in dispute over use of Family name
Two advertising agencies are locked in dispute and are planning legal action over the use of the name Family.
The dispute is between recent Scottish start-up Family, which was set up five months ago, and London-based Family Design & Advertising, which has been in business for more than seven years.
Neither company has trademarked the name Family and both are now filing for registration. After taking legal advice, Family Design & Advertising managing director Andrew Robinson has sent a letter to Family in Scotland requesting it change its name, and is awaiting a response.
Family’s managing director Ian Wright says that he has consulted lawyers and believes that his company can retain the name Family. He adds: “I believe we operate in different sectors. We are not competing and we will not be changing our name or considering changing our name.”
Family Design & Advertising provides design and direct marketing services to clients such as Agent Provocateur, Accenture, American Express and Royal Mail. It also provides support for advertising agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather and Bates UK.
Founded by Robinson, a former consultant to O&M, the agency has also created business-to-business advertising and intends to pursue consumer advertising tasks.
Family in Scotland recently won the advertising account for the Scottish National Party (MW October 10). The Edinburgh-based agency was set up by former staff of Yellow M Edinburgh, which went into receivership in June (MW June 13).
