All the Prime Ministers Ad Men?

It wasn't long ago that we learnt, from the Electoral Commission and the Register of Members' Interests who it was that was helping Gordon Brown out with his leadership campaign. One of the entries on the Register was for "Design services" for his leadership campaign from the advertising agency Abbot Mead Vickers BBDO Ltd.

Abbot Mead Vickers are undoubtedly huge when it comes to advertising, and are the people behind memorable campaigns like Guinness' surfer advert. It also looks like they're the Government's ad agency of choice being responsible for over 30 campaigns since 1997, including, but not limited to.

Speed reduction, English Heritage, Climate Change, Mobile Phone Abuse, Kill Your Speed, Rear Seat Belts, Greener Motoring, Drink Drive, Are You Doing Your, Y2K Public Awareness, Leaded Petrol, Think, Pregnancy and Smoking, Science Year, RAF Recruitment, and of course, now, in a non-Government capacity, Gordon Brown's personal leadership campaign.

Payments to Abbot Mead Vickers for their work by the Government since 1997 totals £10,837,449. I wonder if that relationship will continue as well after next Wednesday?