Scottish Executive moves £12m brief to MediaCom

The Scottish Executive has moved its £12m media planning and buying account out of Feather Brooksbank into MediaCom Scotland.

The loss is a huge blow for Feather Brooksbank, which has held the account since the Scottish Executive was set up as the devolved governing body for Scotland in 1999. Previously the agency worked with the Scottish Office.

The change is part of a roster review by the Scottish Executive taking in advertising, media, digital and public relations (MW January 15).

The Scottish Executive is believed to have drawn up an extended advertising roster that includes Barkers Advertising, The Bridge, Citigate Smarts, Family, Leith Advertising, Newhaven, The Union and 1576. However, the Scottish Executive has not yet confirmed the list.

For the first time the Scottish Executive has extended its advertising roster to embrace the agency requirements of VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, NHS 24, Quality Meat Scotland and Historic Scotland.

However, it is thought that the departments will continue to work with their respective lead agencies, all of which are included on the roster. Scottish Enterprise has indicated that it will choose its own media agency and is currently holding a separate pitch.

The previous advertising roster was made up of Barkers, The Union and Faulds Advertising. Faulds went into liquidation last year (MW October 2, 2003).

MediaCom Scotland has also won the £2m media planning account for clothing and footwear retailer Base London.