Wieden and Kennedy handed global Nurofen brief by Reckitt Benckiser

Wieden and Kennedy has been handed a new brief to handle global advertising for the bestselling Reckitt Benckiser pain relief product Nurofen.

The manufacturer recently reviewed its agency strategy for the ibuprofen brand, with Havas Worldwide having handled advertising for the product up until now. The move strengthens Reckitt Benckiser's existing ties with Wieden and Kennedy, reports Campaign.

A competitive pitching process saw Havas Worldwide, McCann Erickson and Wieden and Kennedy all lobbying for the account. Havas, formerly known as Euro RSCG, won back the business in 2010 after losing it to Mother in 2009. It originally picked up a consolidated 800 million pound account with the client in July 2006.

Wieden and Kennedy was appointed to lead creative development on the company's prominent Finish brand globally earlier this year.

Roberto Funari, executive vice-president of global category development at Reckitt Benckiser, said: "We're delighted that Wieden and Kennedy will be partnering with us on this key consumer health brand. The quality of the strategic and creative thinking we have seen throughout the review has been superb."