Pertamina names trio to comms brief

JAKARTA - Pertamina has finalised an agency roster for its petrol station business as the state-owned petrochemicals giant looks to reassure Indonesian consumers of the reliability of its services.

Matari was awarded the above-the-line advertising account, Cabe Rawit won the below-the-line duties while Ogilvy landed Pertamina’s PR business.

The company has suffered from a perception that it has cheated consumers by not serving the required amount of gasoline at its petrol stations. Meanwhile, its outlets are now under greater competitive pressure from foreign brands such as Shell and Petronas.

Separately, Pertamina’s US$15 million pitch for a campaign to encourage Indonesians to switch from kerosene to liquefied petroleum gas has been postponed. The pitch is part of efforts to cut household fuel subsidies.