JWT cuts KG Telecom's ties in protest

<p>TAIPEI: J. Walter Thompson Taiwan has terminated its relationship </p><p>with client KG Telecom, citing unfair treatment as its reason. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The agency's managing director, Steve Lin, said: "I wanted to make a </p><p>point to the whole industry so I told KG we simply could not accept its </p><p>terms." The conflict between JWT and KG came to a head the evening </p><p>before the agency was to present final revisions for advertising for KG </p><p>Telecom's wireless launch. JWT had won the business when KG split its </p><p>account between JWT and United Advertising after last year's pitch. </p><p>United was given the image brief. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We were briefed on the wireless project this March, and we revised the </p><p>work several times after the client changed directions," said Lin. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Then less than 24 hours before the final presentation, we were told </p><p>that United would be pitching against us." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Lin protested to no avail. KG subsequently split the project, with </p><p>NT$20 million (US$575,720) in TV spend going to United and </p><p>$15 million in print to JWT. Lin was stunned once again when KG </p><p>asked United to incorporate a creative concept - a Japanese ninja that </p><p>had been developed by JWT - in its work. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>KG general manager, Jimmy Yau, said: "The selection of the agency is </p><p>simply a marketing decision in terms of our strategy and requirement at </p><p>different points of time." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>