EHS on alert as Tesco appoints BBH

Havas EHS bosses could be facing a “squeaky bum time” after Tesco revealed it has axed Wieden + Kennedy from its £110m advertising account and handed the business – including CRM – to Bartle Bogle Hegarty without a pitch.
EHS has handled the Tesco direct marketing business for more than 20 years and was one of the drivers of the launch of its Clubard loyalty scheme.
During this time, the ad account has switched from Lowe to the Red Brick Road to Wieden + Kennedy and now BBH.
But while it is much easier to move an advertising account – Tesco and EHS are virtually joined at the hip – chief executive Tash Whitmey and her team will now be looking over their shoulders.
EHS also works closely with DunnHumby, but that business is up for sale so its strong relationship with the data company will be no guarantee that it can hold onto the account.
Another worry will be the recent link-up between BBH and Simon Hall and Warren Moore to handle the British Airways loyalty account. While this is still in its early days, both parties have stated they will also be going after other clients.
As part of the ad shake-up, BBH has resigned the £25m Waitrose business it has handled since 2011 after a brief flirtation with start-up Now, co-founded by former Rapier creative chief John Townshend.
In a statement, Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said: “We are assembling a small team of world class advisers to work on the turnaround of our reputation and brand. BBH is an outstanding creative agency with an exceptional track record. It will focus on advertising and customer relationship marketing led by chief executive, Neil Munn.
“I would like to thank Wieden + Kennedy for their creative contribution to the Tesco brand and the professionalism with which they are managing this transition.”