Wunderman nets EDF Energy task

Wunderman has scooped the direct marketing account for EDF Energy, bringing the curtain down on the brand’s relationship with AIS London which was first appointed to the business – then called Seeboard – over a decade ago.
The 11-month review was run by the MAA’s Agency Selector Service – spearheaded by former AAR DM chief Julie Constable.
AIS London first started working with the company in 2001, when it was Seeboard Energy – the old Southern Electricity Board. It was appointed by then sales and marketing director Nigel Samuels to slash customer churn.
The agency had 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.
AIS was reappointed in 2008 to both the DM and digital accounts but lost the digital business to AKQA earlier this year.
The company’s most recent campaign featured a giant zoetrope, in support of EDF’s sponsorship of the Olympic Games. The campaign, which included online, eCRM and direct mail, offered a range of rewards – from trips to the London Eye and Eden Project to ‘once in a lifetime’ prizes such as tickets for the Olympics.
Steve Stretton, a founding partner at AIS, is quoted as saying: “We are obviously disappointed by EDF’s decision but, unfortunately, statutory reviews are a routine part of our industry. And, after a wonderful relationship, we’ll be parting ways on a high.”