General Motors kicks off SEA creative review

SHANGHAI - General Motors has kicked off a review of its creative agencies in Southeast Asia, a move that threatens the hold of incumbent Leo Burnett on the account.

The Publicis Groupe agency handles the GM business - which includes the Chevrolet, Opel and Saab marques - in most of the region, including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

GM roster agencies DraftFCB, McCann WorldGroup and Leo Burnett are believed to have been invited to pitch, although a brief has yet to have been sent to agencies.

The move coincides with a review of the carmaking giant's digital activity in Thailand, which is believed to be close to a conclusion. A portion of GM's CRM business was awarded to OgilvyOne last year.

The review could strike another blow for the Leo Burnett network, which lost the Cadillac China creative business to McCann Erickson earlier this month (Media, 25 January).