Johnson & Johnson is likely to reassign its Rs 125-crore creative duties in India, in the footsteps of the global move by its parent company, which has identified new advertising agencies for its five consumer brand accounts.
Sources close to the development indicated that McCann Erickson is likely to cede work on both woundcare and sanpro. While woundcare is likely to move to WPP?s JWT, there is no clarity on the sanpro business. ?There is no official communication on this, a realignment is on the cards,? said an official. The rejig in the mega portfolio will change the creative portfolio line up. Currently, the babycare range is handled by Lowe, and brands Nutrogena and Clean & Clear, which fall under the skincare range, are entrusted with DDB Mudra, besides McCann Erickson?s portfolio of woundcare and sanpro.
This development will follow the shake up planned by Johnson & Johnson abroad, which has identified new advertising agencies for five consumer brand accounts previously handled by Interpublic Group?s McCann Erickson Worldwide. Post the move, WPP Group?s JWT will work on Band-Aid first-aid brand and Reach oralcare brand, Omnicom?s BBDO was assigned the duties for Monistat and StayFree, and independent Mother has been given the task on K-Y products.
McCann and Alchemy, a unit of Lowe, handled the brands at their respective New York offices. Last year?s Pfizer acquisition left J&J with six global creative agencies; so some rationalisation necessary, said J&J after the move.