Jul 20: Vancity Hires New Ad Agency

Vancouver, BC — Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union, has hired TBWA\Vancouver as its new advertising agency-of-record.

A few months ago, Vancity embarked on an agency review process in keeping with standard industry practice. Following an exhaustive selection process and despite a rewarding, 27-year partnership with Grey Worldwide, Vancity has chosen to go with a new firm and a fresh perspective.

“It was a tough decision. Grey has made a vital and valuable contribution to our success throughout the years, and we truly appreciate our relationship with them and their loyalty to our business,” says Kari Grist, Vancity’s VP of Marketing. “At the same time, we felt it was time for a change. TBWA\ is a strong, well-rounded agency and we were impressed by their track record and strategic approach to our business. They will refresh our thinking, and we look forward to learning and growing with them as a partner.”

TBWA\Vancouver is part of TBWA\Worldwide, with 237 offices in 75 countries. TBWA\Vancouver is recognized as a leader in brand strategy and advertising creative, and has been ranked among Canada’s top 10 creative agencies for five consecutive years.

TBWA\Vancouver was founded in 1976 and joined the TBWA\ global family three years ago. Worldwide clients include Nissan, Apple, Absolut and McDonalds. Local clients include BC Lottery Corporation; BC Children’s Hospital Foundation; the BC ministries of Health and Finance; Boston Pizza; and more recently, Harmony Airways.

“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to begin a partnership with the Vancity team and work on such an inspirational brand. There is a great fit between our two organizations and I know we will accomplish great things together,” says Andrea Southcott, President of TBWA\Vancouver.

Vancity’s last agency review was seven years ago, when the partnership with Grey was renewed. Grey was one of four agencies that competed for the account and was one of two finalists along with TBWA\.

Vancity will transition the agency relationship from Grey to TBWA\ this fall.

Vancity is Canada’s largest credit union, with $9.3 billion in assets, 305,000 members, and 41 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria. Vancity was chosen as the best place to work in Canada for 2005 by Maclean’s Magazine as part of its annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers issue. Vancity owns Citizens Bank of Canada, serving members across the country by telephone, ATM, and the Internet. Both Vancity and Citizens Bank are guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.