Travelers Hires a New Lead Creative Agency

Travelers insurance represents a much-needed win for the New York office of TBWA\Chiat\Day.

The office, whose Being unit lost its place on Kraft's roster of agencies late last year, has not had a significant win for a while and recently changed top management. Rob Schwartz, TBWA's president of global creative, shifted to CEO of New York, replacing Robert Harwood-Matthews, who was president.

Revenue on Travelers' creative account is estimated at $2 million. In terms of media, the company spent more than $28 million in 2013 and $23 million in the first nine months of 2014, according to Kantar Media.

As lead agency, TBWA\C\D succeeds Fallon, which had worked for the insurance company for about a decade. The shift came after a review in which the winner beat three other finalists, which sources identified as Publicis, Mullen and Grey. The review did not include media, which remains at MediaVest.

​​In a statement, Lisa Caputo, chief marketing and communications officer at Travelers, cited TBWA\C\D's "keen understanding of our brand," adding that the agency's "deep experience working with iconic global brands makes them an ideal partner for us."

The new agency's first work is expected in June to coincide with a Travelers Championship PGA Tour event in Cromwell, Conn. Travelers is based in Hartford, Conn.