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Pitching time: Westpac media and BMW creative up for grabs

StopPress understands both the Westpac media and BMW creative accounts are currently involved in a pitching process.

Westpac external communications manager Chris Mirams confirmed the bank’s media business was currently under review, but would not add any additional commentary until the completion of the process.

A source revealed to StopPress OMD, FCB Media and MEC have been shortlisted for the account, meaning the business will be moving on from the incumbent, Starcom.

This pitch does not include the creative account, which will remain in the hands of DDB.

Among the big banks, Westpac was the second biggest advertiser for the year ending 30 June 2016, spending almost $12 million according to Nielsen’s AIS data (this was well behind ANZ’s $29,100).

Westpac’s latest ad spend figures were slightly below those recorded for the 2015 financial year, but well up on the amount spent in 2014.         

BMW

StopPress has also received information that the BMW/Mini account, held by DDB since 2013, is currently undergoing a review process.

The BMW communications team was a firm no comment, and would not confirm nor deny that the process was taking place.

DDB chief executive Justin Mowday similarly would not comment on the status of the account.

However, two separate sources have confirmed to StopPress that BMW has invited a number of agencies to pitch for the business.

StopPress understands the decision to review the account was made by the automotive company’s procurement arm, which wanted to ensure that the organisation was still receiving the best creative services available after three years with DDB.

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.

While BMW might not be the biggest spender in this space, there will no doubt be a few agencies keen to get their hands on the account (a source has revealed that DDB is among the agencies pitching for the business).

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