According to sources close to the review, the two prime contenders for the business are now Bates Asia and Y&R. Batey Red/Cell chief executive officer Robert Kay insisted that no formal decision had yet been made, but noted that the length of the review process pointed to client concerns.
"Any review that lasts so long indicates there are, quite possibly, issues that need careful management by the client," said Kay. "If we win we'll be delighted and, if we lose, it will be like saying goodbye to part of the family, but we would take a pretty philosophical view were we to be unsuccessful."
DDB also handles creative duties on the account, while the media segment of the review remains between Starcom, Carat and incumbent Maxus.
The STB is obligated by statute to tender the business every four years.
The news comes after the announcement that Rod Pullen will retire from Batey, and the advertising industry, by the end of the year. Kay replaces Pullen as CEO, coinciding with a number of new creative appointments under ECD Marcus Jackson.