Avis Budget appoints Weber for EMEA PR

Car rental company Avis Budget Group has briefed Weber Shandwick to manage its EMEA PR across brands including Avis, Budget and Maggiore.

Weber’s appointment comes as Avis Budget Group prepares to unify its comms in the region.

The new single-agency model comes into effect later this year, and will see Weber work closely with existing agencies, including VCCP and The Social Partners, to deliver PR and marketing campaigns for Avis Budget Group brands.

An extended pitch process was managed by Oystercatchers. Some 12 agencies were shortlisted and four were in the pitch process.

Weber Shandwick’s chair of consumer marketing, EMEA, Louise Watson, will lead the account.

Darren Peacock, director of brand marketing for Avis Budget Group EMEA, said: “As our focus on driving scale and creative impact increases, we’re so excited to be working with a multi-award winning agency partner with plans to bring our iconic brands’ promises to life in fresh and engaging ways.”

Watson added: “The Avis brand has more than 60 years’ heritage of ‘trying harder’ and our entire network is mobilised to bring that promise to life.”