Philips' global media account up for grabs

<p>Dutch electronics giant Philips has put its USdollars 600 million </p><p>global media account up for pitch, just weeks after parting ways with </p><p>Euro RSCG and realigning its worldwide creative account with DDB and </p><p>D'Arcy. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Among the five agencies invited to pitch for the business are Carat, </p><p>which handles the European part of the account, and Motivator, Philip's </p><p>main agency in Asia-Pacific. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The first phase to assess each agency's competency on a market-by-market </p><p>basis has been completed. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The second phase, scheduled to take place at the end of the month, will </p><p>see a short-list of two to three agencies go for a big strategic pitch </p><p>in London. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Asia-Pacific agencies taking part said that they would participate </p><p>should their network agencies make it to the short-list. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"This isn't going to be a decision that is made in London without our </p><p>involvement," a source said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>It is believed that Philips is looking to consolidate its worldwide </p><p>media business with two agencies at most. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, numerous combinations are also possible. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"It could appoint a global agency that does everything, or it could </p><p>appoint a global strategic agency and then appoint single networks on a </p><p>region-by-region basis," another source said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>