Dyson pulls UK ad account in house to integrate work

Dyson, the homecare brand and engineering company, has axed ad agency Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest and taken its UK advertising account in house. The agency has held the business since 2004.

The company, best known for its range of vacuum cleaners, denies it is planning to hand the account to Leagas Delaney, recently appointed to handle its pan-European advertising, or call a pitch.

Adam Rostom, UK marketing director, says he wants to bring the engineering and creative sides of the business closer together. He is also keen to integrate its advertising with its below-the-line work, which is already developed in house.

He adds that Dyson will continue to work with VCCP as a “consultant” on its creative work. It is also seeking other freelance creatives and directors to work on its advertising.

Dyson appointed Leagas Delaney late last month after a competitive pitch for its pan-European account, which remains unaffected by the UK move.

The company has a history of bringing its advertising in-house; it axed VCCP’s predecessor Miles Calcraft in a similar move (MW November 14, 2003).

Rostom says: “Our life is developing new technology and solving problems. And the job of our advertising is simply to communicate that technology and why it’s different. Our talented Malmesbury team already does this across retail, online and packaging; they’re now ready to take on advertising.”