Three agencies battle over 15m Bradford & Bingley

Building society Bradford & Bingley is talking to Walker Media, Manning Gottlieb Media and MSc, New PHD’s joint venture with Partners BDDH, about its 15m media account.

The media review follows the appointment of M&C Saatchi in May to the group advertising account after a four-way pitch against Rapier, WCRS and Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe. The media buying account was handled by full service agency Leo Burnett, but had been held by Walker Media on a temporary basis since March.

Bradford & Bingley is gearing up for a 15m relaunch of the brand next year, which could include axing the building society’s men-in-bowler-hats trademark.

Commercial director Ruth Blakemore has expanded the marketing department with a number of new posts (MW July 23). Her initiative followed the acquisition from Lloyds TSB of TSB’s Mortgage Express in May last year and the Black Horse estate agency chain in April, for a total of 110m.

Former Bradford & Bingley marketing development manager Dave Wormall became group head of communications in July. He is responsible for pushing the new corporate identity. At the time of going to press he was unavailable for comment.