$100 Mil.+ Global Jaguar Account Goes Into Play

NEW YORK Ford Motor Co.’s Jaguar has launched a review of its global account, sources said. Those duties are now handled by various units of WPP Group. Estimated billings exceed $100 million.

A representative for Jaguar Cars North America would only confirm that traditional ad duties and direct marketing chores are in play.

Jaguar plans to hire a consultant to manage the process, the rep added.

Young & Rubicam handles advertising creative, while sister shop Wunderman works on direct marketing.

Media duties initially were part of the review but they were taken off the table after Mediaedge:cia and MindShare parent WPP interceded, said sources. Mediaedge:cia handles the work in the U.S. and MindShare has media duties overseas.

Y&R’s Irvine, Calif., office develops domestic ads, while international efforts come out of Y&R in London. The agency landed the business in 2001 after a roster shootout with Ogilvy & Mather and J. Walter Thompson. Before that, Ogilvy handled Jaguar in the U.S., while JWT worked on the business overseas.

The creative and direct marketing incumbents have been invited to defend and Jaguar hopes to conclude the review by March, said a source.

The agencies either referred calls to the client or could not immediately be reached. The client declined comment.

This story updates an earlier item to clarify that media duties are no longer in play.