Avis hires Rapp Collins China for project work

National - Avis China has hired Rapp Collins to work on its brand on a project basis, but terms of the arrangement have not been detailed. 

Rapp Collins, part of the DDB Group, said Avis approached the agency after another Rapp client, Virgin Atlantic, recommended the agency to the car hire company.

Lucy Barawitzka, deputy general manager sales & marketing for Avis China, said Rapp Collins created a "cost effective" solution for the Avis business, but was not willing to prove further details.

"They're a like minded business. We want to breathe new life in what we do here in China," she said.

Barawitzka said Avis had worked with "a number" of agencies in the past.

Rapp Collins is familiar with the business, having worked with Avis in a number of European markets.

David King, MD of Rapp Collins Shanghai said Avis is currently the only international car rental company operating in China, but said this will not always be the case.

"So we are going to make the most of our head start with a combination of awareness building and database marketing activity," King said.