Starcom Secures £11 Million Pizza Hut Account

Starcom Motive has secured the £11 million Pizza Hut media planning and buying account following a head-to-head competitive pitch against Mindshare.

The account came up for review at the end of April when PHD decided not to re-pitch for the business. This followed the fast-food chain’s controversial decision to conduct its second review in as many years.

It is understood that PHD was unhappy that it had been asked to defend the account after successfully fighting off a rival pitch from ZenithOptimedia. The agency resigned the account ahead of the second review triggered in May following the departure of Pizza Hut marketing director James O’Reilly.

Simon Wallis, Pizza Hut’s retail marketing director, said: “We were impressed with the proposals from Starcom and Mindshare and it was tough to choose between the two, as both agencies demonstrated excellent planning.”

He added: “We are looking forward to working with Starcom to help consolidate Pizza Hut’s position as the UK’s leading pizza restaurant brand and we are confident that this appointment will galvanise our continued success.”

Starcom Motive takes over the account at the end of September ahead of plans by Pizza Hut to open around 70 new stores in the UK by the end of this year. However, the fast food giant faces a tough time ahead as calls for restrictions on fast food advertising gather pace (see Advertisers Unite Against Ban On Junk Food Commercials).

Starcom Motive: 020 7453 4444: www.starcommotive.com

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