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OMD WA retains iiNet following $20m media pitch

Iinet OMD WA has retained the media account for one of Western Australia’s biggest media accounts, iiNet, Mumbrella can reveal.

The win by OMD WA, which is owned by Marketforce in Perth, comes after a multi-stage pitch which saw the incumbent facing off against Initiative in the final round.

Maryna Fewster, iiNet’s chief operating officer, said the Internet Service Provider is looking forward to continuing its relationship with OMD WA.

“We’ve worked with OMD for a couple of years now and have complete confidence in their new leadership team,” said Fewster.

Mumbrella understands that OMD parent OmniCom has provided support in the pitch. However, OMD in the east are not involved due to their relationship with Telstra.

Mumbrella first revealed the pitch in November with a shortlist that originally comprised the incumbent, Initiative and Mindshare. However the Group M agency had to withdraw after Foxtel moved its business to the agency, with ZenithOptimedia taking its place on the iiNet shortlist.

The decision is a big win for OMD WA, which last month confirmed that its managing director of OMD WA Bob Goodge has departed the media agency after just over a year in the role. He was replaced by Angela Nutton.

“Angela Nutton, who assumed responsibility for the iiNet account in 2014, is now managing director of OMD and has brought a new level of commitment and innovation to our account. She leads a team who really deliver and we look forward to further strengthening our brand presence around the country as we continue to grow as a business.”

OMD WA also has creative duties for the business after bringing it back from BWM Sydney at the end of 2012.

John Driscoll, executive chairman of Marketforce, said the appointment was a big win for the WA agency.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with iiNet and look forward to working together to forge strong media relationships to help drive business success in the years ahead,” said Driscoll.

The decision comes just days after TPG announced plans to purchase rival iiNet for $1.4bn.

According to Nielsen iiNet had an estimated media spend of $19.3m in the 12 months to September and the media review comes at a time when many observers are tipping a marketing war between the major telco players.

Nic Christensen 

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