Carlton Interactive has begun a search for an advertising agency to spearhead its portfolio of internet ventures.

The pitch, understood to be worth £10m, is being handled through the AAR. Duncan Eaton, marketing director of Carlton Interactive, is putting together a shortlist of agencies.

Mr Eaton is in charge of marketing Carlton Interactive's range of ventures, including consumer websites Popcorn, Jamba and Simplyfood, and Carlton's portal site, Carlton.com.

Mr Eaton's appointment in April this year followed a series of moves by Carlton to expand its new media presence. The company, which renamed its Carlton Online division Carlton Interactive last year, has bought stakes in several online ventures, including a £20m investment in the UK launch of US internet search engine Ask Jeeves.

Carlton has announced a wide-ranging deal with WH Smith to cross-promote each other's web activities. WH Smith will run Carlton's e-commerce offer, while Carlton will sell advertising space and provide content on both the whsmith.co.uk and carlton.com websites.