HSBC has appointed WPP to provide its $600 million creative advertising, media and direct marketing services worldwide.
The appointment follows a wide-ranging review of HSBC's previous arrangements which involved 13 pitches across the globe, with a final creative shoot-out in London on April 23.
WPP has established a team to lead the account that will draw on the combined resources of the group, with the lead agency as J Walter Thompson. The team will be managed by WPP executive Toby Hoare, with the creative led by Craig Davis, chief creative officer of JWT Europe, Middle East and Africa, who in association with Nick Bell, JWT London creative director, presented the creative solution at the final pitch.
The other agencies involved are: Red Cell (including Berlin Cameron), Bates Asia and Batey for creative advertising work, Group M for media buying, rmg:connect and 141 Worldwide for direct marketing and Landor for branding and corporate identity.
The decision has come as a great disappointment to Lowe, who had held the account since 1999. HSBC has confirmed that the current brand strapline - The world's local bank - developed by Lowe, will continue to be used in the new WPP advertising.
shots.net will feature an interview with JWT's Craig Davis, discussing this and other issues at JWT, in next week's shots news.
