JWT loses US$ 113 m global Rimmel business to Laird and Partners

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rimmel London has shifted its estimated US$113 million global advertising account out of JWT London, its incumbent of 14 years. The cosmetics giant has instead chosen the New York-based specialist fashion and luxury agency Laird and Partners.

The split follows the departure of the Rimmell global marketing director, Isabelle Regis. Laird and Partners, which handles the bulk of the ad business for Rimmel’s parent company Coty, picked up the account without a pitch.

It had previously pitched against JWT in 2009 for the account, but was unsuccessful.

JWT was responsible for launching Rimmel into the US in 2000. It also created ads starring celebrities including Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

According to Nielsen, Coty spent US$ 17.75 million on UK advertising over the last 12 months. No one at JWT would comment on the split.