Bernard Balderston, P&G's associate director for media, negotiates the advertiser's TV airtime deals direct with broadcasters. They are then implemented by media agency Starcom UK.
However, it is understood that his negotiations with Sky Media, which deals with third-party sales for channels including Discovery Networks as well as Sky's channels, have reached an impasse and that Gillette ads are not appearing on its stations.
No one at Sky, Starcom or P&G would comment.
Separately, WPP's GroupM, which includes MindShare, MediaCom and Mediaedge:cia, has failed to conclude its TV airtime deal with ITV over its digital channels ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4.
Advertisers affected include Unilever, Ford and GlaxoSmithKline, although insiders say that their campaigns are being transmitted on the channels and that discussions continue.
GroupM's contract with ITV1 is not affected by the dispute.
_1.jpg)
.jpg)