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Carat Group has completed its takeover of BMW's media arrangements

in the UK, scooping the planning account from WCRS and ending a quarter

of a century in which the full-service shop has handled media for the

client.

The planning for BMW's Mini brand, also handled by WCRS, will move to

Carat Group in the next few months. The planning business for both

brands will be handed to Carat's sister agency BBJ, along with the BMW

buying business, which Carat International won across Europe last

year.

"Our parent company had been encouraging us to combine planning and

buying for one agency and Carat Group presented a great opportunity to

consolidate our media arrangements," BMW's marketing director, Phil

Horton, said.

Carat Group's UK chairman, Ray Kelly, said: "This appointment is

testament to the excellent work that Carat Group and BMW have been

creating and is a real endorsement of the group's strategic planning

credentials."

Online media will continue to be bought by Zenith Interactive

Solutions.

McCann Windsor will continue to handle BMW Motorcycles.