Saatchis and Lowe did not fit the Malaysian telco's requirements for agencies of a certain size and scope. Incumbents Ogilvy & Mather (postpaid), BBDO (prepaid) and Leo Burnett (B2B) - plus outsiders Y&R and Grey -remain in the running.
Meanwhile, the company has hired Allan Khoo, formerly marketing director of HSBC, as head of marketing for its postpaid business. Khoo replaces Leena Rashid, who left a year ago.
Sources say the pitch is expected to last five months.
