EE switches B2B task to McCann

Mobile phone giant EE has handed its business-to-business account – handled by Publicis Chemistry – to B2B specialist agency McCann Enterprise following a five-way pitch.
McCann has been tasked with boosting the take up of EE’s contracts within the business community.
The switch comes just four months after Chemistry was forced to restructure its operation after EE bosses suddenly decided to rein back spending on the direct marketing account.
The move led to a raft of job losses, including creative chiefs Mark Buckingham and Rob Trono as well as managing partner Andrew Brooks, who had only just been recruited to head up the EE business. Trono was recently appointed executive creative director at FullSix.
As a result of the B2B loss, four members of staff have transferred from Chemistry to McCann Enterprise under TUPE laws.
However, Chemistry chief executive Mike Welsh insists the B2B work was only 10% of the business. He said the agency decided not to repitch for the account as it had already been informed of EE’s desire to hire a specialist agency.
Welsh added: “EE is still our biggest client and we have retained the vast majority of the account.”
EE director of PR and corporate comms Mat Sears said that Publicis Chemistry have done a good job but the time was right to move on. He added: “We put the B2B account up for tender because we felt it was the right time to give dedicated focus to B2B as we drive for bigger market share.
“McCann Enterprise demonstrated the understanding and focus we want from an agency to achieve the ambitious targets we’ve set for B2B. Publicis Chemistry continues with a large part of the EE account.”

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