Honda has awarded its media planning and buying account in Europe to UM after a six-month competitive pitch process, ending a five-year relationship with Dentsu.

UM will take over the business, worth an estimated £50m, across all the Japanese car brand’s European markets on 1 April.

The pitch process was run by MediaSense and had a significant focus on integrated data solutions and digital transformation.

Honda is working towards its “Electric Vision”, which will involve its European mainstream models all being electrified by 2022.

The appointment comes as the global automotive industry is still being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with Honda’s European sales falling by 35% in the first 11 months of 2020, according to data from Jato Dynamics.

Chris Skinner, EMEA President, UM, said: “Honda’s Electric Vision is digital transformation at its best. They are using world-leading technology to build a more sustainable future and we couldn’t be happier to be joining them on such an exciting journey.

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