Bluewater needs More

Bluewater puts CRM work up for grabs

Campaign, 24 September 2009, 06:00am

LONDON - Bluewater is seeking a direct agency to handle its customer relationship marketing.

Lend Lease Retail and Communities Group, which owns the shopping centre in Kent, has contacted agencies with a brief to increase repeat visits and attract new customers. The winning agency will develop Bluewater's online marketing, including better use of its mailing list.

Bluewater set up a database in 2002, but most of its activity to date has consisted of newsletters informing customers about events and special offers. It is thought to be looking to protect and expand its catchment area ahead of the opening of the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, East London in 2011.

The company's advertising is handled by Klein O'Rorke, which created a Christmas ad campaign last year. Footfall increased by 4 per cent over the festive period and 2 per cent in January.

The shopping centre has also developed a marketing package - aimed at encouraging brands to use its media space for advertising and experiential activity - through iblink, the consumer specialist agency.