Pitching for UK government business has become a nightmare ever since the coalition government wound up the COI (Central Office of Information) but Engine Group, which claims to be the UK’s biggest independent marcoms group, seems to have found the knack of fighting its way through a convoluted procurement process.
The company, which includes the WCRS ad agency, direct marketer Partners Andrews Aldridge and digital agency Jam, has been appointed to handle the Department of Work and Pensions’ ‘I’m In’ creative account, which basically means persuading employees not to opt out of a scheme which has been compulsory for large companies since October 2012. The business was formerly handled by Adam&Eve/DDB.
On the face of it this doesn’t look too challenging a task but anyone with an interest in these matters will know that annuities, the money you receive in retirement, are at an all-time low; chiefly because of low interest rates but also restrictions on what pension providers can invest in. So lots of younger people prefer to hang on their money.
Engine managing partner Annie Gallimore (above), who joined the company recently from a similar role at Grey London, says: “We’re delighted to be working with the Department for Work and Pensions on this very important initiative. Saving for our future via pensions is crucial for everyone across the UK.”
Since winning a place on the Government Creative Framework last year Engine has been awarded new business from the HMRC, the RAF and Royal Navy, and the Department of Business Innovation & Skills, part of Vince Cable’s empire.
WCRS, which will handle the advertising part of the DWP account, also picked up the £45m B&Q D-I-Y retail account last week, formerly handled by Karmarama.
