WESTERN Australian retail group Rick Hart has ended its eight-year relationship with advertising agency Bell Booth Advertising and Marketing, opting to move its $3 million advertising account in-house.
Rick Hart, managing director of the group which includes the recently rebranded Rick Hart Seconds stores, said the decision was based on cost-savings.
“We had a strategic review of the operation and looked at efficiencies and costs are a major concern with advertising,” he said.
“We would hope that it would be cheaper in house and that we would gain greater efficiencies.”
Mr Hart said the decision was not made lightly due to the long association and quality of work produced by BBAM.
Rick Hart has employed industry consultant, Murray McDougall, to provide direction on campaign work.
Mr Hart said the company’s advertising would subtly change over time.
“I’d like to think we can come up with the new ideas and we have recruited a consultant [Mr McDougall] to look after that for us,” he said.
BBAM will continue to work on the Rick Hart account until the end of the month.