Duckworth wins 5m Abbey brief

Abbey National is appointing Duckworth Finn Grubb Waters to handle an advertising blitz for its new general insurance arm.

The account, believed to be worth 5m, is expected to increase substantially next year.

A spokesman for Abbey National General Insurance (ANGI) says the new agency’s role will be to make the Abbey’s “bancassurance” services more interesting. “Insurance products were sold off the back of mortgages in the past,” he says. “We intend to support the new standalone service with good advertising.”

ANGI marketing director Elaine Robinson, who joined from drinks company Gaymer where she was marketing director (MW July 14), conducted pitches in secret. The agencies involved did not know the identity of the client until the final round. It is believed Leagas Delaney also pitched but Abbey National’s other agencies Barker & Ralston and EURO RSCG Wnek Gosper did not compete for the additional business.

ANGI is a joint venture between the bank and Commercial Union. It was set up last month to sell insurance products to consumers who take out mortgages with Abbey National. Its marketing department is completely separate to Abbey National’s, which is run by Ambrose McGinn.