• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, February 24, 2020

Financial services company Discover has selected WPP’s Grey New York to be its new creative Agency of Record after a formal review.

Last fall, Discover and its then AOR The Martin Agency announced that they were parting ways after a 13-year run. TMA CEO Kristen Cavallo cited “differing philosophies for the future.”

TMA produced two ads for Discover that ran in this year’s Super Bowl.

Discover recorded advertising costs of $258 million in 2018 according to its annual report for that year. The company has not yet issued its annual report for 2019.

Ryan Scully, senior vice president of brand, media and consumer insights at Discover stated, “We know that Grey will help us further energize our mission of helping people achieve brighter financial futures.”

In a memo announcing the win to the agency today, Grey Worldwide CEO Michael Houston wrote that the shop would develop a new brand platform “that brings to life Discover’s company mission: Solutions for a Brighter Financial Future. The integrated campaign will live in all key media channels and platforms.”

“This is a huge win and we are excited to add this iconic brand to our roster,” added Houston.

He noted several other recent wins including Eli Lilly’s Connected Care and Nestlé’s Carnation Breakfast Essentials and Garden Gourmet in North America. The agency also won Carlsberg and Coca Cola in Europe, Domino's Pizza in Japan, Hong Kong Tourism Board and the South Africa Tourist Association. AT&T was added to the roster in Mexico and Corona in Argentina.

“It’s clear Grey is on the right path and we are delivering on our two key priorities: creativity and growth,” Houston declared, adding, “I am very optimistic about 2020.”