IG Group seeks ad agency for global betting account

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Spread betting and sports betting operators IG Group is hunting for an advertising agency to manage its financial brand, IG Index, globally. The move comes as the company nears the conclusion of a pitch for its £12m media planning and buying business, which began in May (MW.co.uk 27 May).

Both pitches are being led by IG Group marketing director David Hodge, who joined the company in April. Prior to IG, Hodge headed marketing operations for low-cost airline Bmibaby and is a former Bulmers marketer. Previously, the company carried out its creative work in house.

Hodge held chemistry meetings with six agencies for the media planning and buying account and has drawn up a shortlist of Phd, Zenith-Optimedia and Mediacom.

Earlier this year, IG Group launched its sports arm, IG Sports, as a separate brand. Previously, the sports offering sat under the IG Index label but is now branded as IG Sports and extrabet.com.

IG Group is planning to relaunch its financial arm, IG Index, which operates in places such as Europe, Australia, Singapore and the US. It covers various sectors, including shares, interest rates and house prices.