Three agencies line up for Sony Philippines pitch

<p>MANILA: Sony Philippines has put its US$1 million media and </p><p>creative account up for review after it merged its information and audio </p><p>video technologies and applications. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The integrated division - called AiVt - will incorporate more of Sony's </p><p>IT and audio video products in the next three years, according to the </p><p>company's assistant manager for sales and marketing, Tess Baluyot. </p><p>Sources said the pitch would attract Adformatix, Publicis-AMA and Dentsu </p><p>Young & Rubicam, agencies which previously handled or are currently </p><p>working on Sony assignments. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Publicis-AMA currently handles the Sony assignment, including sales </p><p>promotions, after it plucked the business from Adformatix. The latter </p><p>previously worked on Sony Digital's VCD and DVD and its Walkman brands, </p><p>while DY&R has Sony's creative assignment. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We will choose an agency most familiar with the IT business and will be </p><p>able to bring AiVt to consumers," said Baluyot. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Despite the slowing Philippine economy, Sony expects to improve local </p><p>sales by 27 per cent this year to US$74.5 million and to about </p><p>$80 million by 2003. Sony enjoys a 30 per cent share of the </p><p>Philippine market for television and other electronics products, and as </p><p>much as 75 per cent for its audio video brands. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>