Zurich Insurance set to build direct roster

Zurich Insurance, the financial services brand, has kicked off a search for agencies to fill its direct marketing roster.

The company currently works with Publicis Dialog, which will be unaffected by the review and will remain the lead creative below-the-line agency. It is understood that the roster will comprise up to four further agencies.

The search is being handled by creativebrief, which has approached several agencies about the business.

Last year, Zurich hired Experian to handle its database marketing (Marketing, 28 November 2007). The information services company was appointed to manage mailing campaigns targeting existing and prospective UK customers.

Zurich has positioned itself as the insurance company for the present and the future with a series of marketing campaigns using the strap-line 'Because change happenz'. Last year, it extended the theme online, targeting 45- to 54-year-old ABC1 consumers. The campaign, brokered by Zed, featured a serious of humorous 'what if?' situations.

Zed is also unaffected by the agency search.