Interbrew China business up for grabs in review

Interbrew is shaking up its agency roster as part of a major review of the branding and positioning of its China portfolio, which accounts for over 10 per cent of the national market.

The Belgian brewer has recently concluded two separate pitches contested by several multinational agencies though Lowe, which bagged creative duties for four of Interbrew's local brands last year, is thought to be the only agency invited to both. Interbrew is due to finalise its latest agency line-up within the month, with the scope of the work up for grabs unclear. The two pitches centred on two groups stewarding seven brands between them, but the brewer is thought to revamping the marketing of its entire portfolio as part of a major root and branch reorganisation of its China operations including production, sales and merchandising. Lowe is defending its hold on the business against several other agencies, thought to include DDB, JWT, McCann Erickson, local shop Nitro and Ogilvy & Mather.