Agencies line up for pounds 8m First Direct DM.(Brief article)

First Direct, the HSBC-owned telephone bank, has kicked off a search for an agency to handle its pounds 8 million direct marketing account.

The company is in early discussions with several agencies and plans to hold credentials meetings in the next two weeks. First Direct's head of direct marketing, Colette Nugent, is handling the process.

The review covers both the acquisition and retention direct marketing accounts. The news will come as a blow to the incumbent, Craik Jones Watson …