Amsterdam, 15 June 2015 - HEINEKEN and Wieden+Kennedy (W+K), have today reached an agreement to terminate the global advertising contracts for the Heineken® and Desperados® brands.
HEINEKEN would like to thank W+K for its collaboration with the Heineken® brand team since 2010, especially on the award winning Legends campaign.
Both companies are now working to ensure that the relationship is brought to an end in a timely and seamless manner.
Jan Derck van Karnebeek, Chief Commercial Officer, HEINEKEN said: "After five years this is a good time to go our separate ways. We have enjoyed a strong and effective partnership. Now it is time to move on for both W+K and HEINEKEN."
He added: "We work with multiple agencies on Heineken®, to support the world-wide presence of the brand, and also to bring additional creative thinking. Globally we now enjoy a strong relationship with Publicis, while in many markets we are working with local agencies to deliver outstanding and effective local top-spin campaigns. We are excited about the future for both Heineken® and Desperados®. We thank the W+K team for their outstanding work and wish them well."
Dave Luhr, President of Wieden+Kennedy said: "We are very proud of the creative body of work we developed for the Heineken®, Heineken® Light and Desperados® brands. But in this business change is more of the norm than the exception and it is time that we each go our own directions. We leave with great respect and admiration for HEINEKEN and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours."
- ends -
Press enquiries
John Clarke
E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com
Tel: +31-20-5239-355
David Pugh
E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com
Tel: +31-20-5239-355
Editorial information:
HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a powerful portfolio of more than 250 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ 81,000 people and operate more than 160 breweries in 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us via @HEINEKENCorp.
