In addition, Aegis-owned local player, Pan-Pacific Media, is tipped to win buying and planning for Danone's Robust water account, which was also included in the review. Buying for Robust was previously handled in-house, while Optimedia was in charge of planning.
While Carat Asia-Pacific CEO David Liu would not comment on the appointment, he confirmed Pan-Pacific's presence at the pitch and said: "One of the Aegis Media companies is finalising terms and conditions with Robust. It is definitely not Vizeum and not Carat."
An industry source pegged the account at Rmb 200 million (US$48 million), rising to Rmb 500 million if the Wahaha soft drinks assignment is included.
Spending tracked by Nielsen Media Research for the first six months of this year placed the brief at Rmb 190 million, 81 per cent up on 2003 spend levels.
The review was expected to consolidate both accounts, and first attracted interest due to the highly visible presence of Danone's procurement department in the process.