Mccann Wins London 2012 Contract

US advertising agency network McCann Erickson will be given the role of promoting the London 2012 Olympic Games, after beating out rival the WPP Group in a two-way pitch.

A division of the marketing services company Interpublic Group, McCann Erickson is set to win the contract to provide advertising, marketing, public relations and digital communications during the Games.

Media sources are citing the marketing deal as unusual because the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games does not pay agencies a fee, which is typically the case.

Instead, marketing agencies cite a bid of how much they are willing to pay for the right to market the Olympics. McCann Erickson was allegedly offering about £10m.

In return for services, the signed agency will become an official sponsor of London 2012.

McCann will take over from Chime Communications which held the marketing contract in the build-up to the handover from Beijing to London last summer.