Carnival Cruise Lines drops Saatchi & Saatchi for Host Sydney
Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney has lost its Carnival Cruise Lines account to Host Communications, Mumbrella can reveal.
The loss is the first for Saatchi & Saatchi since Michael Rebelo joined the agency as CEO two years ago.
Jennifer Vandekreeke, vice president of Carnival Cruise Lines, said the move was motivated by a change to Carnival’s marketing approach.
“As the Carnival Cruise Lines brand moves from the launch phase to driving consideration, our marketing approach has evolved,” she said.
Confirming Host had been selected as Carnival Cruise Lines agency of record, she added: “Host has an excellent track record of developing integrated campaigns and we look forward to developing great work together.”
Saatchi & Saatchi won the Carnival Cruise Lines contract in May last year following a three way pitch with Host and the incumbent Arnold Furnace.
And Saatchi’s was charged with launching the cruise line’s first non-US based cruise ship in the Australian market, The Carnival Spirit, and sell cruising to Australians.
Michael Rebelo, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, said: “We’ve both experienced strong growth and had a lot fun working together. Now that our respective businesses are in new phases of growth the time is right for change. We wish the team at Carnival Cruise Lines all the best for the future.”
Carnival Spirit booked 100,000 guests from Australia to New Zealand within six months of its launch and Carnival Cruise Lines is now planning to introduce a new ship, Carnival Legend, in September.
Host Sydney was selected to develop digitally-driven, socially-led, fully integrated campaigns to drive further consideration and sales for the business as it grows.
Suzie Shaw, CEO of Host, said: “Travel is an area we have a lot of experience in and we’re really looking forward to developing ambitious ideas for Carnival”.
Megan Reynolds
