MANILA: The US$3 million account for the Mega Sardines brand
has been won by Publicis-AMA, which edged out incumbent Asatsu-DK and
Caballero Worldwide Partners in a three-way race.
Publicis-AMA has been awarded the creative, marketing and promotions
assignments.
With a five per cent share of market following its 1998 launch, Mega is
looking to displace market leaders - Ligo and Young's Town. The brand
was launched by a subsidiary of Sea Gold Corporation, the country's
third-biggest fishing firm, to capture a share of the $1 billion
canned sardine market.
More than six billion cans of sardines are bought by Filipinos each
year, making it the most popular basic commodity. But the market is a
crowded one with more than 20 local brands. Ligo and Young's Town each
hold a 30 per cent share of the market.
Mega is also looking to export the brand by year-end. It has identified
the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Europe as target markets. In Asia, Mega
has launched in Thailand and Vietnam.