NEW YORK McCann-Erickson has lost its second European Coca-Cola assignment in a week, as the client has confirmed moving its U.K. Coke Classic account to independent shop Mother. The U.K. business is worth an estimated $40 million.
Working from the “Real” strategy developed by WPP Group’s Berlin Cameron/Red Cell in New York, Mother in London will break work in early 2004 for the brand. Coke Classic had been handled by McCann’s office in London.
Last week, McCann lost the $35 million Coke Classic business in France to Havas’ BETC Euro RSCG. In February, the Interpublic Group agency’s New York office lost Coke Classic creative duties to Berlin Cameron.
Earlier this month, the Atlanta-based company launched a review for its U.S. media account in which roster shops Universal McCann (IPG) and Publicis Groupe’s Starcom/MediaVest will participate as will Aegis Group’s Carat and WPP’s Mindshare [Adweek Online, Sept. 15].
In a statement, Julia Goldin, marketing director for Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland said: “We always want to find the best creative for our consumers’ campaigns, which resonate with them and which they enjoy, and especially on brand Coca-Cola we look to surprise and delight our consumers. Mother’s work for
our other brands Schweppes, Lilt, Oasis and Dr Pepper has been memorably ground-breaking and we’re ready for more.”
Other agencies on Coke’s U.K. roster are independent Wieden + Kennedy in Amsterdam and VCCP. McCann is also still on the U.K. roster with Vanilla and Cherry Coke, the company said.
$40 Mil. U.K. Coke Moves to Mother
