Suzuki Australia shifts biz to Burnett

This includes brand and retail advertising for its street bikes, scooters, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and fun bikes. Some below-the-line activity is also included.

Suzuki made the move as part of a drive to bolster its brand position in the Australian market.

Suzuki Motorcycles general manager Perry Morison said Burnett's grasp of the Australian motorcycle market caught Suzuki's attention.

"We were impressed with the team's enthusiasm, understanding of the brand and what's required to make Suzuki motorcycles fly in this market," Morison said.

"We were also impressed with the broad range of services the agency offered."

MJW Hakuhodo previously handled the account out of Sydney.

Burnett will begin work immediately on the assignment, with the creative output overseen by Shapoor Batliwa. A new campaign is expected to launch this month.

Suzuki is one of the 'big four' Japanese manufacturers who between them share close to 70 per cent of the Australian motorcycle market. Suzuki's range consists of 49 models, which extend across all Australian categories.

Moving forward, the company plans to make regular new product launches.

Suzuki is the second high profile brand to join forces with Burnett Melbourne in as many weeks. Last month, electronic games maker Nintendo shifted its business to the agency.

Nintendo also moved to Burnett without a pitch, partly to take advantage of a global alignment, as the agency already held the Nintendo business in the US and Europe.