Vietnam Airlines pitch resurrected

HO CHI MINH CITY - The advertising pitch for Vietnam Airlines, which stalled in October last year following objections from agencies that they pay a fee to entitle them to pitch, has been resurrected.

The client has sent a briefing document to selected agencies, but this time without the condition that they pay a deposit to pitch.

Leo Burnett, Bates141 and Ogilvy & Mather are believed to be among a pitch list of six agencies to have been invited to present their credentials.

A second round of pitching, at which agencies will be handed a formal brief, will take place after the national holidays on 30 April, when the country celebrates the reunification of North and South Vietnam.

One source commented: "The company has learned from its mistake, and the process has been made a lot easier for agencies. Vietnam is an exciting brand with lots of opportunity."