Taiwan tourism splits $6m work among 3 shops

The realignment comes less than a year after the bureau had awarded its business to United Asatsu. Dentsu has been awarded the NT$100 million Japan brief while Eastern has been given the NT$50 million Hong Kong and Singapore job. Saatchis has taken the NT$40 million US and Europe account.

The remaining NT$10 million has been set aside as a contingency fund.

This year's contest was judged on three parts, say sources, because the campaign last year by United Asatsu stressed Japan to the exclusion of other markets

The bureau only started advertising again last year after a 10-year hiatus, however, it appears to have become bogged down in excessive cautiousness.

"They are the first priority winners, said Bruce Liu, the Bureau's deputy director, international division. "If negotiations fail, the second priority winners get a chance."

The pitch for the bureau is delayed each year by Government procurement rules to make the bidding fair and open. The process begins after the approval of the bureau's budget in late January. Next comes a series of time-consuming chores, such as the selection of a judging panel.