In a measure of how seriously Westpac is taking the repositioning of its branch network, many of the recently recruited manages are being roped into featuring in local advertising. In a step-up from the run-of-the-mill public relations through the local newspaper, 13 of the actual managers will appear in the bank's new television campaign that kicks off this Sunday. Westpac or one of its advertising agencies briefed trade title B&T on the details of the campaign. About 300 branch managers will appear on localised billboard posters, and the bank will undertake localised direct mail, with more than 400,000 items to be mailed, according to B&T. More than three million letterbox drops are planned. Westpac has upgraded the decision-making authority of many branch managers, giving them some say over credit approval, responsibility for credit losses, and the authority to sort out many more customer complaints (for example by waiving fees).