Weight Watchers set to shed roster down under

<p>SYDNEY: Weight Watchers is trimming back its Australian and New </p><p>Zealand agency arrangements with an account review to move the business </p><p>to one shop. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>One of the incumbents, IT&P Advertising, will shape up against Love </p><p>Communications, McCann-Erickson, Saatchi & Saatchi and Young & Rubicam </p><p>to vie for the A$6 million (about US$3.2 million) account. </p><p>A decision is likely this month. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The pitch is for branding and promotion of Weight Watchers' Group </p><p>Support Meetings and At Home Services businesses. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the company is reversing the unbundling of its advertising </p><p>account, which resulted in the creative, media and direct marketing </p><p>functions split among different agencies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Weight Watchers Australasia chief executive officer Scott Penn said the </p><p>previous arrangement had proven successful but believed consolidating </p><p>the account would better suit its future needs. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We are in the fortunate position that we have a strong business with </p><p>some exciting plans for 2002," Penn said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"It is an opportune time to review our communication strategy to ensure </p><p>our brand and service continues to perform at the optimum level." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said the winning agency would need to show an understanding of Weight </p><p>Watchers' 30-year heritage and deliver a plan to move it forward. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>