John West Appoints Havas as Creative and Media Agency

John West, the UK’s leading canned fish brand, has consolidated its creative and media requirements into Havas following a competitive pitch process, managed by Oystercatchers.

The brief includes strategic planning, creative development and all ATL, BTL and digital media spend, including instore/shopper marketing activity.

The appointment comes as John West looks to move further into the health and nutrition space, capitalising on the incredible health benefits of fish as a natural source of protein and Omega-3.

The appointment marks another integrated win for Havas’ King’s Cross Village, with its flagship creative and media agencies, Havas London and Havas Media, pitching jointly for the hotly contested account. 

Jon Burton, marketing director, John West said: “This is an exciting time for John West and we’re delighted to have Havas on board to help fulfill our ambitions. We were impressed by their deep understanding of our business and passion for John West.

“Together, we’re looking to unlock significant growth opportunities for the brand. As consumers increasingly put health and well-being at the forefront of their purchasing decisions, enjoying fish as part of a nutritious, protein-rich diet is one of the little steps we can all take towards leading a more balanced lifestyle.”

Xavier Rees, CEO, Havas London said: “John West is a properly iconic brand that deserves great advertising. They’ve got big ambitions for the future and we can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Winning any pitch feels good - but this is a win that’s shown our Havas Village model at its best, pulling together a tight crew of our best brains across creative and media. Combine that with such a special brand and it’s a win that feels particularly gratifying.”

Patrick Affleck, CEO, Havas Media Group UK&I, said: "This process was a fantastic example of our fully-integrated approach in action. We look forward to demonstrating how the solutions we develop together will make a meaningful difference to the John West brand and business as they embark on their next phase of growth."