Guinness has appointed two agencies - Saatchi & Saatchi and AMV/BBDO - to handle its £250 million sterling global advertising account. When Guinness announced the advertising review last November, its stated intention was to appoint a single agency network to handle the business so the decision to split the account is a surprising one.

Although details have yet to be worked out, the move will almost certainly bring Guinness business to Dublin agency, Irish International, which is owned by AMV/ BBDO.

AMV/BBDO currently holds the Guinness account in the UK has been appointed the agency for all Guinness Draught Markets including Ireland, Europe and the US. This accounts for 60 per cent of Guinness volume worldwide. Saatchi & Saatchi, which currently handles Guinness across Africa and Caribbean, has been named the agency for all Guinness Foreign Extra Stout markets.

The move means that HHCL the agency behind the Big Pint and Live Life to the Power of Guinness Campaign is are now off the account.