Saatchis, BBDO, Euro vying for Visa account

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