Unilever realigns portfolio of media agencies

09/02/2010 : Unilever realigns portfolio of media agencies to reach its 2 billion consumers more effectively.

Unilever today announced the outcome of its global media agency review. The review was initiated in July 2009 across 53 countries, in line with company policy to evaluate media agency arrangements periodically.

The outcome is split between the three incumbent groups of agencies: WPP, Omnicom and Interpublic. All appointments are subject to the finalisation and signing of contracts implementing these arrangements. The outcome for Unilever's lead countries is as follows:

China*[previously announced]PHD (OMG)
IndiaMindshare (WPP)
ThailandMindshare (WPP)
US and CanadaMindshare (WPP)
MexicoInitiative Media (IPG)
ColombiaInitiative Media (IPG)
ArgentinaInitiative Media (IPG)
UKMindshare (WPP)
NetherlandsMindshare (WPP)
GermanyMindshare (WPP)
FranceMindshare (WPP)
SpainMindshare (WPP)
NordicsMindshare (WPP)
PolandMedia Direction (OMG)
RussiaInitiative Media (IPG)

Laura Klauberg, Unilever Vice President Global Media, said, "We are extremely pleased with the outstanding portfolio of agencies that will be working on our behalf around the world. The outcome of the review further strengthens Unilever’s position as a leading marketing organisation, and will allow us to reach even more consumers in more effective ways."

"As we increasingly make use of digital and social media, we are confident that we have the best agency partners to help us engage in new ways with the 2 billion consumers whose lives we touch. In addition, greater alignment within our key country clusters will contribute to achieving exceptional results for our business in an increasingly complex and fragmented media environment."

[Ends]

February 9th, 2010


Safe Harbour

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'believes' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, including financial objectives to 2010, and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report & Accounts on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.


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