StopPress understands that the BMW/Mini creative pitch, ongoing since August last year, has reached its final stages and is being contested between DDB, True and Colenso BBDO.
The BMW communications team refused to comment on that matter, saying only that its partnership with the incumbent DDB remains unchanged at this stage.
A source says that the final decision was meant to be scheduled for this week, but it has now been pushed out for a few weeks.
True has not had a car brand in recent years, while Colenso last worked with Volkswagen before losing the account in 2015 (VW later took its business to FCB).
Nielsen data shows BMW as the 13th biggest spender among automotive brands for the year ending 30 June 2016.
Over the last three years, the brand’s spend has fluctuated between $4.2 million and $6.4 million.