Four other agencies are thought to have been invited to contest the business, including Nike's main creative partner in the US, Wieden & Kennedy, which established its first office in China last year.
Publicis and Nitro, roster agencies for Nike in some Asian and European markets respectively, are also believed to be in the running, alongside local shop DMG, a newcomer on Nike business. Nike has already received agency credentials, with creative presentations to be attended by senior Nike executives from the US expected soon.
The pitch marks the start of a critical period for Nike's marketing in China, with stakes raised by the next Olympics, which will be staged in Beijing in 2008. An all-out aggressive brand campaign is expected from official Olympic sponsor and archrival adidas, while the distribution and pricing of leading local sports label Li-Ning also presents a threat.
The creative review follows a run of bad publicity for Nike in China last year, including the pulling of a Wieden & Kennedy ad developed in the US which showed dragons, symbols of prestige and power in China, as well as other Chinese characters, defeated in a basketball duel by US player LeBron James.
Nike casts net wide as it hunts for China creative partner
Nike has opened a creative pitch in China for the first time since handing the account to JWT eight years ago.
