Lowe in strong position to scoop Honda

<p>MANILA: Three international advertising agencies are challenging </p><p>incumbent local agency MGM Advertising and Communications for the Honda </p><p>Motors' US$2 million Philippine account. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The challengers are Lowe Lintas & Partners, Campaigns & Grey and Dentsu </p><p>Young & Rubicam. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A source close to the negotiations said the car manufacturer was </p><p>considering reviving its previous contract with Lowe Lintas for the </p><p>high-end Accord model, leaving its other brands to MGM, which has held </p><p>the business since 1994. The other brands are City, Civic and CRV. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>There is also speculation that Lowe Lintas is favoured to take over the </p><p>corporate account from MGM. According to the source, Honda is "open to </p><p>Lowe Lintas coming back". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Despite previous cutbacks, MGM's account chief Nina Enfortuno said the </p><p>account remained a sizeable piece of business for the agency. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>It is understood that DY&R put in a bid for all four of Honda's brands, </p><p>including its flagship Civic model. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Honda has not locked its advertising business to a global affiliate </p><p>arrangement, saying it was company policy to allow independent </p><p>advertising arrangements for its subsidiaries. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>