BMW selects Publicis, TBWA and McCann Worldgroup for regional pitch

ASIA-PACIFIC - Automotive giant BMW Asia Group has called three agencies including Publicis, TBWA and McCann Worldgroup to pitch for its regional creative account, eliminating Thailand-based incumbent U50K from the race.

Ramesh Divyanathan, marketing director for BMW group Asia confirmed the news, saying that the auto brand is on the lookout for “a full-service marketing agency”. The pitch is being managed by consultancy R3.

In a recently concluded
digital pitch for the Mini brand, BMW had handed its account to Kinetic after a final three-way shoot-out against Publicis and Tribal DDB. The Mini account has been held by U5OK in Bangkok since the end of 2005.

In May, BMW handed part of its China creative account to Leo Burnett, following a two-round pitch that began in January, which also included incumbent Interone, Bates141, DraftFCB and Publicis.

Two days ago, in an emergency press conference, BMW announced its withdrawal from Formula One becoming the second major manufacturer to pull out of the sport following Honda’s withdrawal in December last year.