Bates agency scoops 2m

Healthcare agency Bates HealthCom has been awarded the 2m Savlon account from Zyma Healthcare.

HealthCom won the account from one of the company’s two incumbent agencies, Mellors Reay & Partners. The other, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, did not pitch for the business.

As well as Savlon, HealthCom will handle a series of planned launches from Zyma, which is owned by Swiss drugs giant Ciba-Geigy. The win brings claimed billings for HealthCom to about 22m.

The agency will take advertising responsibility for the entire Savlon range, which includes products for babies, the elderly and dry-skin sufferers.

HealthCom chairman Mike Lees says the agency intends to build on the 40-year heritage of the Savlon brand but says it will also target new users. “We want to position the range as the most modern products you can get,” he adds.

Advertising media for the over-the-counter skincare range has yet to be decided.