Bharti Airtel account moving to JWT

MUMBAI: Airtel has ended a 15-yearlong relationship with its creative agency, Rediffusion Y&R . ET Now has learnt that the 400-crore account is moving to JWT India.

This will also include Airtel’s business in Srilanka and Bangladesh and Africa, when the Zain brand is relaunched as Airtel. WPP executives were present during the Airtel pitch just over two months ago. For Sir Maritn Sorrell, CEO, WPP, the win means a lot more than just a large account for JWT India, as Aitel’s international business will be handled by JWT as well, senior WPP officials told ET NOW.

It’s the second major blow for Redifussion Y&R , which lost the Colgate account recently and is grappling with layoffs, said sources. A third blow looks imminent as LG is likely to call for a pitch, a company official revealed. JWT India is already in the process of setting up Airtel brand teams in Delhi and Mumbai. JWT was empanelled by Bharti in 2008 to handle its DTH venture, Airtel Digital TV.