PARSIPPANY, NJ — Car rental giant Avis Budget Group, whose worldwide brands include Avis, Budget and Zipcar, is reviewing its global PR agency support, PRovoke Media has learned.

A spokesperson confirmed that the company has launched a search for a global PR agency of record but would not elaborate.

Individuals familiar with the pitch, however, said Avis Budget is looking for an agency that can handle the full range of communications responsibilities, spanning corporate and consumer work.

The company, which also serves as an umbrella group for local car rental brands, is in the very early stages of the review process, and has yet to offer up details such as specifics of the remit and how much the business is worth.

Avis Budget historically has handled its PR on a regional basis. In 2016, the company consolidated its EMEA business with Weber Shandwick. Last year, IPG’s MullenLowe Group added the company to its client roster, while the company also works with Clarion in the UK.


The agency review comes roughly five months after the June appointment of  CEO Joe Ferrero, who has been charged with repositioning the company to mitigate the fallout from the pandemic, which has hit hard the car rental business with the rest of the travel industry. The moves included cutting $2 billion in costs this year, and selling 100,000 vehicles worldwide.