JWT battles BBH over Vodafone 50m UK account

JWT’s grip on Vodafone’s £50m UK advertising account has weakened with the news that the telecoms giant is talking to lead global agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty about UK briefs.

It is thought that Vodafone will hold pitches between BBH and JWT for each UK-specific project and BBH is already being tipped to win the first brief.

A Vodafone spokeswoman refused to comment on the pitch speculation but says: "We work with both agencies and they are preparing us for next year."

JWT handles all UK campaigns for Vodafone, while BBH produces the international branding work. JWT won the international Vodafone account in 2002 when WCRS lost the UK business. BBH was appointed to the telecoms company’s roster without a pitch in September 2004. Previously, Vodafone worked with Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam.

Vodafone’s UK marketing department is led by Dominic Chambers, who replaced Martin Tod as head of brand and marketing communications last year (MW May 19, 2005).