• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, September 1, 2020

Whirlpool has selected WPP to handle strategic communications across 29 countries in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, effective January 2021.

The remit covers creative advertising, media, PR, shopper and digital marketing for all brands the client sells in the region including KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Hotpoint, Bauknecht, Indesit and Privileg.

The assignment will be led by a WPP team based in Milan that includes input from Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, m/Six, BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), Geometry, Hogarth and AKQA.

The win follows a nine-month holding company pitch that included five other contenders.

WPP has had a strong year on the new business front. The firm said new business in the first half totaled $4 billion (billings). On a call with analysts last week to discuss first half earnings results, CEO Mark Read said the new business pipeline remains “very strong.”