The loss of Allied Domecq has further shattered confidence at Cordiant, coming hot on the heels of losses including the Woolworths and Royal Mail accounts at Bates UK.
The drinks giant refused to be drawn on why it has put Cordiant, owner of Bates UK and 141, on notice, but the decision is believed to be based on concern for the stability of the network.
Allied Domecq is considering agencies as well as Publicis, its other roster network, for the work, but the brands currently handled by Publicis, which include Beefeater gin and Kahlua, will not form part of the review.
Simon Stewart, Allied Domecq's UK-based senior vice-president of marketing, is overseeing the pitches, and a decision is expected within a month.
During 2002, the Allied Domecq account contributed £18m to Cordiant's revenue. The network landed the lion's share of Allied Domecq's global marketing business in October 2001, after a full-scale review of its above- and below-the-line roster.
Its relationship with the drinks producer appeared to solidify when it was handed the global £40m Malibu account in June 2002.
In the UK, Allied Domecq has recently spent a large proportion of its marketing budget below-the-line through 141, and it is likely to seek an integrated agency to handle the four brands.
Recent below-the-line activity has included a sampling campaign for Tia Lusso in 600 Wella hairdressing salons and the distribution of money-off coupons.
In December, men's magazine GQ struck a deal to serve Beefeater Gin cocktails exclusively at its readers' events evenings at stores such as Liberty in Regent Street and Pal Zileri's store on New Bond Street.
Allied Domecq achieved a 6% rise in pre-tax profits in the year to August 31, 2002, helped by the launch of Tia Lusso, Courvoisier becoming the UK's number one cognac brand and a doubling of UK sales growth for Teacher's.
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