Unilever Japan pitches media brief

Unilever is reviewing its mammoth media buying and planning business in Japan, the third regional review in a process that is also expected to include Taiwan by the end of the year.

Currently split between Initiative for planning and Asatsu-DK and Hakuhodo on buying, the business is estimated at approximately US$120 million. Initiative is up against MindShare and the two Japanese incumbents for the combined account. Presentations took place in Tokyo last week.

The review follows similar processes by Unilever in Indonesia and Australia over the past year.