Publicis faces review of £7m Inmarsat Euro task

Mobile communications company Inmarsat is reviewing the £7m European part of its global advertising account, which is held by Publicis.

The review is being handled by the AAR, and Publicis is understood to be repitching for the business, which it has held since 1996. The agency also handles Inmarsat’s global business.

Inmarsat is based in the UK, and provides high-speed wireless video conferencing, e-mail and Internet access through mobile ISDN facilities. The technology is used by ships, oil rigs, airlines, the media and aid organisations.

The company is planning to float on the London Stock Exchange this year. The company is expected to be valued at about £2bn.

In May the company launched a campaign in national newspapers across Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia.

This was aimed at encouraging companies to think about whether they are taking full advantage of mobile communication technology. The campaign used the analogy of a 4×4 vehicle to show how its technology can be used over any terrain.

In May this year Inmarsat struck a deal with Interflora, enabling sailors to order flowers using Inmarsat’s onboard communications equipment.

Advances in mobile technology mean it is now lightweight and portable, and the company has in recent years been trying to market it to small businesses and travellers as well as its larger corporate users.

Publicis originally beat JWT, Grey Worldwide and Saatchi & Saatchi to the business.