JAA bags media accounts for VTech toys and the RFU

Toy company VTech has appointed John Ayling & Associates to handle its £2m media planning and buying business. It is thought that the agency won the business following a competitive pitch, which started last year.

It is understood that the company, which makes electronic toys including the V.Smile Learning System console, called the pitch as part of a review of all of its suppliers (MW November 9).

The appointment comes just as the marketing director Katy Chan quits the company after the return of co-founder Sid Heyde as chief executive.

The agency will now work on plans for its pre-Christmas campaigns, which will include TV. The company works with Bitch Productions, which makes a number of executions for the company each year. It is not thought that this relationship has been affected by the media review.

Meanwhile, JAA has also won the media planning and buying for the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It is understood to be worth over £1m.

It is not clear if there was a competitive pitch for the business. In 2004, the RFU appointed Lowe and Initiative Media to handle its advertising and media business.

A majority of the RFU’s spend will be focused on promoting tickets for matches at Twickenham, including the EDF Energy Cup Final, Investec Challenge series and the Lehman Brothers Varisty Match.

RFU sales and marketing manager Tom Hill says: “As one of the world’s most famous rugby stadiums, Twickenham is well known for established fixtures like the RBS Six Nations. But our calendar also includes many other matches, and it is imperative for us to get the message across that there are plenty of opportunities for fans to see top class rugby in a world class stadium.”