United Biscuits appoints Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick has been appointed as global PR agency for United Biscuits International Sales (UBIS) following a competitive pitch process. The consumer and trade brief will be led from the UK by a team in Weber Shandwick’s London Consumer division, and encompasses global positioning work for core brands such as ‘McVitie’s Digestive’ as well as international new product launches.
The team will report into Emma Pittaway, principal brand manager at United Biscuits International Sales. Emma said of the appointment: “At UBIS our principle aim is to build brands and drive sales in our core investment markets. In Weber Shandwick we saw a partner with the strategic and creative capabilities to help us develop impactful campaigns in varied markets throughout the world. Their vast experience in running successful international PR campaigns and impressive global network were also integral to our decision.”
The London team, led by Consumer Director, Emma Thompson, will co-ordinate implementation across the Weber Shandwick network, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden in Europe and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and UAE in the Middle East. Additional projects in Australia, Canada, the US and other markets are expected in 2009.
Emma Thompson of Weber Shandwick, said: “United Biscuits’ brands are some of the most iconic in the world, so we are thrilled to be working with them to develop compelling brand experiences for consumers in new and emerging markets.”
About United Biscuits International Sales:
United Biscuits (UB) is one of the world’s leading biscuit and snack manufacturers and is the number one player in the UK biscuit market with well-known household brands such as McVitie’s, go ahead! and Jacob’s. UB International Sales is UB’s international export business focused on growing United Biscuits’ well-known brands throughout the world, with particular focus on new and developing markets. UBIS currently exports to over 100 countries worldwide. UB has 15 manufacturing facilities in Europe across 5 countries with annual capacity of 1.3 million tonnes of biscuit, snack, and other products.