Incumbent DDB will defend the business in an eight-strong field that includes Matari, Leo Burnett/Arc, Grey, Ogilvy, McCann Erickson, JWT and local agency Octovate. Hakuhodo has dropped out of the running.
According to a source, Indosat reviews its creative agency every two years, but this review is geared towards finding a “super agency” that can handle its diverse range of businesses.
Indosat’s products range from cellular, fixed-line telephony and data and pay-TV and internet services, and agencies have been briefed to identify a marketing strategy that will tie each business together. The news follows Indosat’s decision to award its marketing services and PR account to Arc last week after a five-agency pitch.
A final shootout saw Saatchi & Saatchi face off with Arc. Indosat is Indonesia’s largest telco advertiser, with TV accounting over half of spend.
