CHT has yet to announce a decision. Yet when asked to comment on rumours of United’s win, the agency’s CEO, Samuel Chou, confirmed the result while declining to elaborate because negotiations are still underway.
Last year, CHT was Taiwan’s third largest advertiser, spending NT$469 million (US$13.9 million), a 25 per cent increase from 2007. Leo Burnett held the account since mid-2006. Margaret Huang, managing director of Leo Burnett could not be reached for comment.
Last year, CHT was Taiwan’s third largest advertiser, spending NT$469 million (US$13.9 million), a 25 per cent increase from 2007. Leo Burnett held the account since mid-2006. Margaret Huang, managing director of Leo Burnett could not be reached for comment.
If finalised, the win is a vindication for Sandra Yu, the chairwoman and CEO of GroupM Taiwan, who purchased a majority stake in United earlier this year.
United is the last of Taiwan’s large independent agencies. Observers wondered why anyone would purchase an agency in the current economic downturn, and even Yu forecast a 30 per cent drop in ad spend for the island this year.
CHT has unbundled its creative and media accounts. It recently renewed its contract with Carat Taiwan for another two years.
