Agencies eye Lowe London Tesco chiefs

Agencies are lining up to try to wrest Tesco’s &£46m advertising account from Lowe London by poaching chairman Paul Weinberger and managing director Mark Cadman, both of whom manage the business.

The two are thought to have found out about the appointment of Garry Lace as chief executive of the agency only days before Marketing Week revealed his surprise return to the industry (last week). According to one insider, Cadman, who had a run-in with Lace at a previous agency and runs the Tesco account, had himself been promised the position. If Cadman goes, there is speculation that Weinberger may join him – and take the Tesco business with him.

Tesco is Lowe London’s largest account and Weinberger is viewed as key to retaining the business. Tesco marketing director Tim Mason has in the past praised Weinberger openly at a Marketing Society dinner and made it clear that his loyalties lie with Lowe.

It is understood that Lace has yet to meet any of Lowe’s clients, including Tesco.Last year, there was speculation over the account as Lowe tried to come up with a new campaign.