Walt Disney gearing up for China push

SHANGHAI - The Walt Disney Company China has narrowed the field for its lucrative branding and merchandising briefs, shortlisting BBDO and Lowe for the creative and OMD and MindShare for media planning and buying.

It is believed several agencies were involved in the procurement-led review, before the list was whittled down to two, respectively.

Alannah Goss, vice-president of corporate communications at Disney Asia-Pacific confirmed the company was speaking to several creative, media and marketing services agencies, but declined to elaborate.

A source involved in the review told Media that Walt Disney is seeking to grow its presence on the mainland after launching a Shanghai operation, and noted that the two-year contract would involve a thematic branding component along with merchandising.