• by Larissa Faw , October 1, 2014

The J.G. Wentworth Company continues its makeover and has named WPP's VML its Digital Agency of Record and independent Horizon Media its Media AOR. 

The agency selections follow the client's efforts, disclosed in August, to rebrand its corporate website, launch “The Peachtree Promise" national advertising campaign, and increase its social media presence.  

  Wentworth purchases structured settlement payments, annuity payments, lottery payments, and other receivables through the J.G. Wentworth and Peachtree Financial brands.

The new agency assignments are effective immediately.

These two shops will focus on accelerating the rebranding of J.G. Wentworth as it leverages data and analytics to drive growth in its core business and to create a platform that repositions the brand as a more diversified consumer financial services company.

“As a direct-to-consumer marketer, it is increasingly important to be able to evolve our digital, mobile, media and analytical capabilities, and we are thrilled to partner with VML and Horizon to drive future growth,” said Sean O’Reilly, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer at J.G. Wentworth. “As part of our partnership, we will continue to evolve our online and mobile presence, beginning today with a re-launch of the J.G. Wentworth website, the first step in our digital transformation.”

Kansas City-based VML will concentrate on technology innovation, experience design, data infrastructure, modeling, analytics, and reporting. “During many years of working with VML, the team there has shown a consistent ability to deliver innovative and practical solutions across a variety of product categories,” said Greg Schneider, EVP & Chief Information Officer at J.G. Wentworth, “We are working together to deliver a platform that will support growth in our core business and set us up for future growth as we diversify into other financial product categories.”

Horizon will focus on media planning, activation, and analytics across channels. “We’re excited to work with the J.G. Wentworth and Peachtree Financial brands as the company continues to evolve,” said Gene Turner, EVP & Managing Partner at Horizon.

J.G. Wentworth reports advertising expense increased in the 4Q 2013 to $18.6 million from $17.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. For the year, advertising expense was down to $70.3 million from $73.3 million in 2012, due to the timing of some of its advertising initiatives.