Walker Media wins £25m Marks & Spencer brief

Marks & Spencer has appointed Walker Media to handle its £25m media account following a final pitch between MindShare and incumbents Optimedia and OMD.

Marks & Spencer has appointed Walker Media to handle its &£25m media account following a final pitch between MindShare and incumbents Optimedia and OMD.

The four agencies were shortlisted in May from an undisclosed long-list.

Walker Media will have responsibility for all of M&S’ media planning and buying, including a through-the-line advertising campaign to be unveiled this autumn.

Optimedia previously handled media planning and buying for food and wines, understood to be worth &£8m, while OMD was responsible for clothing and store development.

Walker Media will work with Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, which was appointed to M&S’ creative account in April.

M&S head of external marketing Matthew Chambers says: “Walker Media’s strong understanding of the M&S brand, combined with a unique approach to media planning, made it an obvious choice. There is an excellent fit between M&S, Walker Media and Rainey Kelly, which will enable us to communicate with our customers more effectively than ever before.”

Phil Georgiadis, a partner at Walker Media, says: “It is a brilliant win because it is such a blue-chip company and high-profile piece of business.”