UK: InBev seeks direct marketing agency for Beck's

InBev is hunting for a direct marketing agency to handle its UK below-the-line business for the beer brand Beck's, Thomson Dialog NewsEdge communicated June 30.

InBev is inviting a mixture of roster and non-roster shops to compete. Agencies on the InBev direct roster include BD Network, Draft London and The Marketing Store. The incumbent, Arc Worldwide London, will not repitch for the account, owing to a conflict with Guinness.

An InBev spokesman said: 'We can confirm a review of Beck's below-the-line agency is taking place in the UK. The decision in no way reflects the quality of Arc's work. It is part of a normal process. Our objective is to ensure Beck's has the best agency possible.'

The brief covers all of the UK below-the-line activity for Beck's, including retail, promotions, DM and online.

It is being handled by InBev in the UK and is separate from the global advertising pitch called earlier this month. The incumbent, Leo Burnett, will pitch against InBev roster and non-roster agencies.

30 June, 2006