RHM sets a date for the review of its roster

Food group RHM is planning a full review of its new multi-million pound design roster in just six months’ time, it emerged this week.

Last week RHM appointed Ikon, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Turner Duckworth and Williams Murray Hamm to the new-look roster, leaving a question mark over the future of the Hovis brand, which was redesigned by Design Bridge.

Matthew Day, head of marketing at RHM’s Manor Bakeries, is overseeing the roster. He gave details of the imminent review in an interview with Design Week. He would not comment on future design plans for RHM brands, but he did suggest that most of the company’s consumer brands are expected to undertake design projects over the next 12 months.

To support the roster, RHM has produced its first internal guide on design for the marketing department. It will advise on best practice and introduce common templates for processing design briefs.

The move to create a roster is part of a long-term strategy to develop closer relationships with consultancies. The group previously worked with about 20 consultancies.

‘With a more formal system in place we are able to develop superb working relationships with a smaller number of groups,’ says Day.

Williams Murray Hamm created the iconic ‘Big Food’ Hovis pack designs four years ago, but resigned the account in 2003 (DW 24 July 2003). Design Bridge was drafted in to refresh the brand earlier this year (DW 28 April), but was not appointed to the roster. WMH could even find itself back working on the account.

The four groups were appointed from a nine-strong shortlist last week, following a competitive pitch held in April (DW 30 June).