Allianz to Debut Brand in the UK

Allianz, the world's secondbiggest insurance company, is to roll out its brand as a consumer proposition in the UK for the first time. Until now, the German company has sold its insurance products direct to consumers through Cornhill, which it acquired in 1986, and pet insurer Petplan.

However, Allianz group marketing and communications manager David Keel said it is set to launch a range of consumer offerings under the Allianz brand over the coming 1 2 months.

Keel added that Allianz planned to roll out a 'number of product names and URLs', including Your Cover Home and Car insurance. The financial-services brand is working with ad agency Joshua G2 in the UK, appointed in May 2008 followinga four-way pitch.

Allianz is also reviewing its global advertising and media agency arrangements, with appointments due to be made by the end of the year.

Last month, Allianz Group posted first-quarter revenues of euro27.7bn (Pounds 23.6bn), up from euro27bn (Pounds 23bn) in 2008, but operating profits fell year on year from euro2.2bn (Pounds 1.9bn) to euro1.4bn(Pounds 1.2bn).

According to The Nielsen Company, Allianz spent about Pounds 3m on advertising in the UK in 2008.