Tories appoint agency to 4m DM

The Conservative Party is tipped to have appointed Partners Andrews Aldridge to its estimated £4.4m direct marketing business.

The appointment follows a pitch, handled by the AAR. It is not known how many agencies were involved.

It is understood that Partners Andrews Aldridge, part of the Engine Group, will be tasked with building public support and helping to raise money for the party.

The appointment comes at a time when the Tories are in the middle of a “donation” controversy, after shadow chancellor George Osborne was forced to deny this week that he had discussed a possible donation to the party from a Russian billionaire.

The Tories, like other political parties, has recognised the need to step up its direct marketing skills as an effective way to build support and raise funds. Partners Andrews Aldridge, a COI agency, has experience of working for the public sector, including the Department of Health.

The Tories bagged more than half of the £8m donated to all political parties in Britain between January and March, according to the latest Electoral Commission report.

Last year, the Conservatives appointed Euro RSCG London to handle its advertising. The agency set up a subsidiary company, called Euro Referendum to service the party.