by Herman Manson (@marklives) Industry sources have confirmed that Ireland/Davenport has won the Vodacom advertising account. It was announced earlier this week that Draftfcb had lost the business after 19 years. A formal announcement is yet to be made by Vodacom and/or Ireland-Davenport.
Ireland/Davenport describes itself as a boutique communications agency and clients include BMW, Investec and SA Tourism. The agency was founded by Executive Creative Directors Philip Ireland and John Davenport. Susan Napier is the Managing Director. It is a WPP associate.
More details to follow
Update: Official Vodacom statement received
“We entered into an agency pitch process last year. The review was a really competitive process and we have made a decision this week that it’s the right time to make a change in advertising agencies. Ireland/Davenport has been appointed as Vodacom’s new creative brand advertising agency, effective 1 April 2013.”
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Interesting. WPP international have a bespoke division called Team Red that services the Vodafone business. Obviously a global alliance appointment, just a pity that their first choice WPP agency handles the Cell C business locally.
But then Why did O&M pitch for Vodafone, as Cell-C is their client. Surely you can’t pitch for a client if there is a conflict of business? Congrats to Ireland/Davenport. “I guess Vodafone have had it, with their former agency” :)
Well done guys. Well deserved.