The Asia-Pacific Visa International account is up for grabs and
three agencies - BBDO, Euro RSCG and incumbent Saatchi & Saatchi - are
vying for the business whose annual billings are estimated at between
US$40 million and US$50 million.
Saatchis, which snatched the account in dramatic style from JWT almost
three years ago after entering the race at the last minute, is generally
regarded by the industry as the frontrunner.
However, a source at Saatchis was not as optimistic. "I think we have
only a 50-50 chance because we are going in to pitch brave work that
sells the client to the market.
"We are not going in with safe recommendations just to keep the
account.
So just on that it might be a bit risky for us."
The dark horse this time appears to be Euro because the sources said
that it had not been invited to a second pitch.
However, a senior Euro executive told MEDIA: "We might be down, but
we're not out. We still have an outside chance. We're a wild card."
The pitch in Singapore focuses on the agency's strategic and creative
capabilities to further build up Visa's brand strengths.
A decision on the winning agency will be made at the end of July.
