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King St loses Wendy’s account, Auckland Uni pitch looms

Hamilton-based King St’s chief executive Chris Williams has confirmed that the agency has struck the Wendy’s New Zealand account from its ledger.

StopPress can also report that the account has been won by the Image Centre Group*, which among other titles publishes NZ Marketing Magazine, Weddings, Idealog and Dish.

Although asked for his thoughts on the account loss, Williams said that he could not discuss the matter any further without first corresponding with Danielle Lendich, the CEO at Wendy’s Hamburgers New Zealand.

This loss coincides with news that the Auckland University account, which King St currently holds, has been put up for pitch.

In October last year, Auckland University asked for expressions of interest from advertising firms, but it appears that the pitch is more of a legal formality than an actual opportunity for other agencies to snatch the account.

“As a taxpayer-funded organisation, the University is bound to periodically ‘go to the market’ to ensure it is receiving the best possible advice. With King St’s contract expiring later this year, it seemed an opportune time to review the university’s advertising provider,” says Dianne Head, the director of student, information and marketing services at the university.

“The agency review in no way reflects the University’s dissatisfaction with the service King St has provided over a long period of time. We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with King St.”

Given that Auckland University seems satisfied with King St’s services over the last 14 years, other agencies will have to come up with a moment of creative brilliance to pry the account away from the incumbent. 

*Disclosure of interest: StopPress forms part of the Image Centre publishing group.

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