Omnicom Media Group’s PHD has been announced as cruise company Carnival Corporation’s media agency for the US and UK, in an attempt to consolidate its purchase media strategy and execution across the firm’s portfolio of brands.
PHD will work to generate awareness and drive increased demand for cruising, whilst making multi-million dollar savings in media costs by improving the strategic coordination of media planning and buying.
In 2015, Carnival Corporation’s seven brands in the US and UK accounted for $116m in media spend.
PHD, which currently handles the Carnival Cruise Line and Cunard Lune brands in the US, will expand its responsibilities immediately to include five more brands, beginning a transition period before fully managing all traditional, digital, social media and analytics in the regions.
The agency will work closely with Carnival Corporation in the US and UK, with PHD’s New York office headquartering operations.
“Carnival Cruise Line and Cunard Line in the US have been our partner for three years,” said PHD US chief executive officer Nathan Brown. “Now we welcome additional Carnival Corporation brands that operate in North America and the UK. We cannot wait to see our brands grow together.”
“We are excited to partner with the team at PHD across our leading portfolio of cruise brands in North America and in the UK,” added Carnival chief strategy officer Josh Leibowitz.
“Bringing together our brands to work with a world class agency like PHD enables us to further enhance our digital and traditional media strategies to grow demand for cruising as the world’s best vacation choice.”