BANGKOK: Thai Airways International has delayed all pitches for its
account as a result of a major management reshuffle at the beleaguered
national carrier.
J Walter Thompson (JWT) is the incumbent on its international portfolio
but the three-year contract is now up for renewal. Thai Airways creative
manager Udomvit Krishnamara said that there were a number of policies
still under consideration due the restructuring at the airline.
"We cannot yet set pitching dates as these decisions are all still in
process," he said, but was unable to confirm how many agencies would be
invited to pitch.
However, JWT, said it was satisfied it had been successful during a time
the tourism industry in Thailand boomed to unprecedented levels. It
hoped to continue servicing the account. "We have been very happy
working with the client," said senior vice-president and group client
service director in charge of the brief, Suvit Pholvivat. "We have won a
lot of awards such as the Trang Underwater Wedding, which got into the
Guinness Book of Records."
Thai Airways has been plagued by employee disputes and accusations of
politicisation that led to prime minister Taksin Shinawatra stepping in
to try to restructure the airline ahead of its privitisation. A decision
on the account is expected in one month.
