Federal government shortlists four as Starcom and OMD decline to pitch
The pitch for the lucrative federal government media contract has been whittled down to four agencies, Mumbrella understands.
Incumbent UM will face-off against rivals MediaCom, Carat and ZenithOptimedia for the $137m account, one of Australia’s largest.
Both OMD and Starcom Mediavest are understood to have declined to pitch due to the amount of new business in the market, with Woolworths and Lion both in play at the moment, and the resources required to tender for the account.
According to Nielsen, the federal government spent $137 million on media in the 12 months to June 2013, down 6.4% on the previous year. While the pitch required agencies to submit tender documents by December 31.
Mumbrella understands that the government has been seeking clarifications on the submission, but that there are no presentations involved in the tender process.
A decision on the account is expected by early May in time for a new contract to be drawn up for July 1.
Nic Christensen
