Account Move

WPP creates Team IHG

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has consolidated its global marketing communications business into a new WPP Group initiative, Team IHG.

Team IHG will begin the new partnership with an initial focus on the Holiday Inn brand, following the $1bn global relaunch of the brand. Ogilvy & Mather will lead the initial new effort globally.

The Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands had previously been handled by Interpublic Group agency McCann Erickson since 2009, with the agency creating its first $100m global ad campaign, 'Stay You'.

Team IHG will work will the brand on a global and local level across all agency work including creative, media planning and buying, social media, design, PR and market research for all IHG brands.

The news comes as IHG looks to ensure better integration of its global brand plans and increase effectiveness and efficiency in its marketing efforts.

“Many of the companies within the WPP group are seen as leaders across a number of marketing disciplines and we’re looking forward to working with them to deliver high impact marketing and communications to engage current and potential guests,” says IHG chief executive Richard Solomons.

IHG has more than 4,500 hotels across 100 countries and territories. Brands within its portfolio include Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, as well as its two newest brands Even Hotels and Hualuxe Hotels & Resorts, which has been designed to cater specifically to Chinese travellers.

Jenni Baker, London