MAS shortlists three for interactive brief

KUALA LUMPUR - Three agencies have made the shortlist of the final round of the digital pitch for Malaysia Airlines (MAS), with OgilvyOne tipped as the frontrunner.

Final presentations will take place in two weeks, with a result expected before the end of the year.

Incumbent Arc Worldwide was invited to pitch for the first round, but did not make the final cut. The remaining two contenders are XM and an unnamed agency.

One source close to the review said the pitch is a “formality” as the airline wants to align its digital business with creative incumbent Ogilvy.

“The expectations of us are higher,” said OgilvyOne managing director Alex Lee.

“But we need to demonstrate that we understand the MAS business beyond the brief, and we are working very hard to put up a fair fight to clinch the job honourably.”