DDB wins US$8m Aussie shootout for Volkswagen

<p>SYDNEY: DDB has won the US$8 million Volkswagen Australia </p><p>account in a pitch against three other agencies, including FNL </p><p>Communications. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The move comes about a year after the German automaker took over the </p><p>local franchise and gave FNL a one-year contract which is due to expire </p><p>on January 1, 2002. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Volkswagen Australia's general manager of marketing, Russell Turnham, </p><p>saidDDB - which was one of two agencies along with Brandhouse Arnold, </p><p>handling the global Volkswagen business - outshone short-listed agencies </p><p>Batey Kazoo, BMF and FNL during the pitch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"DDB was the clear winner in the process. The print campaigns they </p><p>presented to us were very strong and the creativity was consistent with </p><p>where the Volkswagen brand needs to be to meet our long-term </p><p>objectives." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Industry speculation tipped DDB to be the winner, with its global </p><p>contracts seen to be giving them an advantage. However, Turnham said </p><p>DDB's global relationship did not influence the decision. Our decision </p><p>was purely based on their ability to service the business at the </p><p>standard we wanted. We already have access to the DDB global network </p><p>anyway." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>There was no review of the media account, which remains with Initiative </p><p>Media. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>