The WPP network, formerly Motorola's global incumbent, pitched against Omnicom agencies for both North Asian and high-growth markets accounts earlier this year, following a global creative review initiated by Motorola's US headquarters in late 2005.
It is believed that Ogilvy will maintain its grip on North Asia and high-growth markets, despite losing the remainder of its global business to Omnicom agencies such as BBDO New York, AMV BBDO and Goodby Silverstein & Partners, now handling Motorola in the US and Europe. In Asia, Ogilvy, led by president and VP of the advertising division Paul Heath and David Mayo, respectively, pitched against Omnicom agency TBWA for the North Asia account, reportedly because of BBDO's relatively weak offering in that sub-region. For the high-growth market segment — which includes India, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa — the WPP agency pitched against both BBDO and TBWA, the latter entering the fray after BBDO's initial presentation.
The pitch was marked by another twist — the sudden demise of Motorola global chief marketing officer Geoffrey Frost, who passed away last November after calling the review.
Frost, whose successor has yet to be named, was widely credited with kick-starting a positive period for the brand after Motorola's 2004 Razr model helped it recover ground lost to rival Nokia.
Motorola North Asia marketing chief Ian Chapman-Banks said: "We have not decided anything nor have we signed any contracts for the agency in North Asia." His high-growth markets counterpart Neil Stewart declined to comment. Representatives of Ogilvy and Omnicom also declined to comment.
