Spowart champions comparisons site

Published on Friday 15 September 2006 12:41

AN Edinburgh-based company looking to shake up the online price comparison market kicks off one of Scotland's biggest advertising campaigns this weekend.

PeoplesChampion.com - the brainchild of entrepreneur Jim Spowart - allows internet users to compare hundreds of credit cards, insurance products and mortgages. The website, which is majority owned by Scottish media company SMG, also includes travel, car hire and hotels.

Following a "soft launch" at the start of the month, allowing the firm to iron out any technical issues, a major ad campaign - valued at some 1.3 million and devised by Union, the Capital-based advertising agency - will attempt to bring the brand wider recognition. The adverts will feature a host of talking animals discussing their financial plans. Speaking ahead of the launch, which will include slots on primetime TV shows such as The X-Factor, Mr Spowart said PeoplesChampion had the potential to become a household name throughout the UK.

"We are allowing consumers to make comparisons on financial products covering in excess of 95 per cent of the marketplace," he added. "We are looking to move into utilities and mobile phones and hope to launch our own branded product range."

At present, much of the backbone to the site is provided by Moneysupermarket.com, whose main market has been focused on the south of England.