Hyundai calls US$1 billion global media pitch

The review process includes all media planning and buying activities in the 170-plus countries in which the company currently operates.

Agency networks from Interpublic, Publicis Groupe and Omnicom are believed to have been invited to participate in the review. A spokesperson for Hyundai said: “We're throwing it open to everyone with a big enough network to handle it.”

The review process is being handled by Innocean, the in-house marketing services department at Hyundai Kia, led from the head office in South Korea. The motoring giant intends to have new agency arrangements in place for January 2010.

The Interpublic network Initiative currently handles the US$750 million consolidated US Hyundai Kia business. Publicis holds the Hyundai account in various markets through its ZenithOptimedia network.

Hyundai Kia follows other motor groups such as Renault-Nissan, which last year consolidated its media into OMD, in exploring the benefits of media consolidation. A Kia spokesman said: "Innocean is putting together the review process and we may end up putting the business into one or more companies, but we are looking at everything globally.”