AT&T Wireless has named interactive agencies White Horse, Portland, OR, and Avenue A, Seattle, to handle its online marketing account.
An estimated six agencies were considered for the job, though only three made it to the final round. Digitas, a multinational interactive agency headquartered in Boston, was the incumbent.
“Really they were looking to use the online space to more effectively sell their products,” said Jen DeVoe, CEO of White Horse. “Another core goal is brand integration. They really weren't integrating their offline efforts well with their online.”
The win extends White Horse's collaboration with Avenue A to jointly pitch for business. During the past two years, the shops have worked together on accounts such as MSN Home Advisor, Carpoint and bCentral.
White Horse clients include Cisco Systems, General Motors Corp.'s GM Fleet & Commercial Operations and Enron Broadband Services. Billings at the shop totaled $6 million last year.
For AT&T Wireless, Redmond, WA, White Horse will provide marketing consultation and handle creative strategy and execution, visual assets and rich media. Avenue A has responsibilities for strategy, campaign planning, targeting, analysis and media buying and planning.
AT&T Wireless has 15.7 million subscribers. Revenue last year topped $10 billion.
The company recently named Ogilvy & Mather to its offline advertising account.
With this assignment, AT&T Wireless seeks to use the Internet as an advertising medium to increase brand awareness and as a sales channel.
Online marketing from White Horse and Avenue A will target young adults and businesses, both growing segments for wireless services. Tactics planned include banners, e-mails and promotions.
