In a scenario reminiscent of the Vietnam Airlines pitch last year (Media, 7 October), which collapsed after a number of multinational networks withdrew, media agencies have been asked to pay a sum of money before pitching.
It is unclear how much agencies have been asked to pay, however, as with the Vietnam Airlines pitch, repayment will be paid only if that winning agency meets its performance targets, according to sources.
It is unclear how much agencies have been asked to pay, however, as with the Vietnam Airlines pitch, repayment will be paid only if that winning agency meets its performance targets, according to sources.
GroupM’s MindShare and a number of local agencies are involved in the review for the mobile telco service provider.
The pitch deposit is supposedly designed to ensure that only ‘serious’ agencies are considered for the $3 million business. Losing agencies will be repaid the deposit, say sources. Creative is being handled separately, contested by Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather and DDB.
Incumbent JWT pulled out of the running last week, citing conflict with global client Nokia as its reason for withdrawing. The S-Fone account has proved problematic for agencies in the past, with rumours of unpaid fees. The company is a JV between the Korean telco SK Telekom and local firm Dong Ah Elecomm.
The pitch deposit is supposedly designed to ensure that only ‘serious’ agencies are considered for the $3 million business. Losing agencies will be repaid the deposit, say sources. Creative is being handled separately, contested by Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather and DDB.
Incumbent JWT pulled out of the running last week, citing conflict with global client Nokia as its reason for withdrawing. The S-Fone account has proved problematic for agencies in the past, with rumours of unpaid fees. The company is a JV between the Korean telco SK Telekom and local firm Dong Ah Elecomm.
