Allwyn, the incoming operator of the UK’s National Lottery, announced the appointment of Leo Burnett and VCCP as joint creative advertising agencies for the National Lottery for the first two years of the upcoming Fourth Licence, which starts in February 2024.

Global advertising agency, Leo Burnett, has been appointed to develop compelling campaigns for the National Lottery brand, along with working on a revamped proposition for instant lottery games and looking at how to better link National Lottery games with Good Causes.

Global integrated communications agency, VCCP, will oversee marketing communications for the Lotto and Set For Life games, along with managing rollover and jackpot-specific campaigns for draw-based games more generally.

Allwyn has taken a roster approach to appointing advertising agencies for the National Lottery for the first time. This approach will better enable Allwyn’s focus on driving increased awareness for individual product brands. In turn, this will lead to an increased number of campaigns and maximise reach.

Bringing a strong track record of strategic thinking and creative nous, Leo Burnett will provide a team headed by CEO, Charlie Rudd, that has been integral on many projects – including, most notably, the successful repositioning of McDonald’s in the UK.

With proven credentials in building brands that connect on an emotive level with the British public – including highly successful campaigns for Cadbury and Compare the Market – VCCP will provide a team headed by Managing Director, Hannah Fitzgerald.

Allwyn’s brief to the respective agencies is to create campaigns that help bring its vision for the National Lottery under the Fourth Licence to life: that is to grow the National Lottery in a safe and responsible way, enabling it to return more to Good Causes, by increasing the relevance of the National Lottery and introducing the range of games to new audiences responsibly.

Leo Burnett and VCCP will now get to work on developing campaigns which will roll out from 1 February 2024, in line with the start of the Fourth Licence.

Business consultancy, Ingenuity, managed the agency pitch process for Allwyn. As part of that, Allwyn has signed up to the Pitch Positive Pledge, which supports making the pitch process more intentional, accountable and responsible for both advertisers and agencies.

An Allwyn spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to appoint these two leading agencies to support our vision for the National Lottery. The competitiveness of the pitch process demonstrates the appeal the National Lottery holds to many people. We’re looking forward to both agencies coming up with effective, compelling campaigns to further broaden that appeal, making The National Lottery even more relevant to more people in a safe and sustainable way.”