FRANKFURT--The European Central Bank has hired Havas to handle communications outreach for the Euro's second phase, amid continued unease about the currency's future.

The appointment comes after a tender that first began in mid-2010, as reported by the Holmes Report.

Havas Worldwide Duesseldorf and Havas Media Frankfurt emerged successful from the public tender, and have been commissioned to provide a pan-European information campaign for the launch of the second series of euro banknotes.

Havas Worldwide will be the lead agency for all communication disciplines including TV, print, outdoor, radio, online advertising, direct marketing, microsites, PR and events, while Havas Media will oversee the media budget across Europe.

"This is an extremely important and significant task and one we are honored and delighted to be handling," said Havas CEO David Jones. "It's also an extremely important and significant win that is a direct result of Havas' strategy and unique integrated structure combining digital, creative and media under one brand name and one roof in our major centres around the world." 

Public confidence in the Euro single currency has plunged over the past couple of years, because of a debt crisis that has severely weakened the economies of such Eurozone countries as Greece, Spain and Portugal.