Communications agency McCann has become the new marketing agency for Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, following an exhaustive national search.
The airline considered 24 agencies before McCann’s successful pitch as part of a shortlist landed it the prestigious account.
The agency’s Bristol office will deliver the work, providing a more efficient integrated service offering for Exeter-based Flybe, with its initial scope of work to include advertising, media buying and production. 
Pan-European campaigns, with a major focus on the UK, will go live next year to support a major brand repositioning for Flybe.
Flybe chief executive officer Christine Ourmières-Widener said: “We are greatly looking forward to working with our new team at McCann. The agency’s South West office in Bristol has a prestigious portfolio featuring an impressive blend of major brand and big agency experience.
“Their selection followed a superior pitch, which demonstrated a clear understanding of how we see our regional airline brand being re-positioned in the hearts and minds of our customers in the coming years.” 
McCann Bristol managing director Andy Reid, pictured, who is also IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) chair for England and Wales, said: “Flybe is the UK and Europe’s largest regional airline, and McCann Central is the UK’s largest regional agency – so we knew it was a great fit from the start.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been selected as the single agency to take Flybe to its next destination and beyond. Being awarded the work is proof of a growing confidence that agencies outside of London have the creativity, skills and capacity to deliver integrated work of this scale to the highest standard.”
The Flybe account bolsters McCann Bristol’s strong travel and leisure portfolio which includes Cathay Pacific, Visit Jersey, Bristol Airport, Crystal Ski, Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Boundless.
