EDF Energy has launched a review of its direct marketing account, held by Archibald Ingall Stretton dating back to when the company was called Seeboard.
The MAA’s Agency Selector Service – run by former AAR direct marketing chief Julie Constable – is managing the process.
The review is in the early stages of the tender and EDF plans to complete it by June next year. It has already started talks with a number of agencies, although EDF marketing director Martin Stead claimed the review was “no reflection on the performance of AIS”.
A statement said: “It is usual for EDF Energy marketing agency contracts to be reviewed on a regular basis. As part of this process the below the line advertising agency account is due to be tendered for competitive pitch. The implementation of this review is no reflection on the performance of AIS, who have worked with us to develop some strong campaigns with a great collaborative spirit.”
In September, EDF called a separate review of its digital advertising arrangements, also handled by AIS. This process will continue to be handled separately.
AIS first started working with the company in about 2003, when it was Seeboard – the old Southern Electricity Board – and has managed to hold on to the account since it was bought by EDF and merged with London Electricity and SWEB Energy.
The Seeboard brand was eventually discontinued in June 2006, along with the other brands following the launch of single, national identity.
Earlier this month, the firm’s head of nuclear security was given a prison sentence and his company fined €1.5m (£1.3m) after being found guilty of spying on environmental campaigners Greenpeace using Trojan malware. The company is the official green partner for London 2012.
Related stories
Jail for EDF Greenpeace hackers
