• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 24, 2013

Mediabrands agency BPN has been awarded media planning and buying duties for Hillshire Brands after a review, the client has confirmed. The new assignment takes effect in May.

The client spent an estimated $87 million on ads in 2012, according to Kantar.

Sara Matheu, director of media development and communications, said that “after careful consideration, we felt BPN displayed a unique approach that was very much in line with the evolving needs of our specific businesses.”

The incumbent was Publicis Groupe’s Spark Communications, part the Starcom MediaVest Group.

The scope of work includes planning and buying across traditional and digital media. BPN will handle the Hillshire account out of its Chicago office.

Based in Chicago, Hillshire Brands has annual revenues of nearly $4 billion. Company brands include Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair and Sara Lee. Formerly known as the Sara Lee Corp., the company was renamed last year after spinning off its international coffee and tea business.

BPN was rolled out last as Mediabrands’ third global media agency network. It has offices in 20 countries and over 200 clients. Billings exceed $800 million.

The review process was handled in-house without assistance from an outside search consultant.