BMP wins 5m Eurotunnel task

BMP OMD has won the 5m UK media strategy and buying account for channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel.

The business was awarded to BMP after a three-way pitch. Eurotunnel refuses to name the other agencies involved, saying only that they were “leading London agencies”.

Eurotunnel’s media was previously handled by TMD Carat, whose contract expired recently.

Peter Stratton, Eurotunnel’s UK marketing and sales director, says: “We chose BMP OMD because of its innovative approach to our business and its commitment to deliver added value.”

Eurotunnel operates the car-carrying train service between Folkestone and Calais. It unveiled its first annual profit last week, as a result of debt restructuring and increased revenues. Net profit in 1998 was 64m, after an exceptional gain of 279m from the restructuring of 9bn of debt.

Airport operator BAA is to take over Eurotunnel’s retailing operations at its Folkestone and Calais terminals in July. BAA plans to redesign the terminals and expand them by 50-60 per cent over the next two or three years.

Eurotunnel’s advertising arrangements remain unclear, although Ogilvy & Mather appears to be in pole position for any work, after being appointed to an advisory role in August last year.