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Lexus dealers pitch media account, TMS on alert

LexusMedia agency TMS is facing the loss of a significant part of Toyota media spend with dealers for car brand Lexus reviewing their account, Mumbrella can reveal.

The review of the Lexus dealer media account comes just weeks after the departure of TMS veteran Andrew Lamb from the agency. 

“I can confirm that the dealer media buy business is currently under pitch,” said a spokesman for Lexus.  

“As the process currently underway, there is little more detail I can offer at this time.”

According to Nielsen, Lexus spent $15.2m in the last 12 months on media however, the component spent by its dealers compared with the car manufacturer is thought it be under $10m. 

The review is a major blow to TMS as Toyota, Lexus’s parent company, has been the foundation client of TMS. CEO of TMS Chris Mort declined to comment.

The decision of the Lexus dealers to review opens the door for Toyota’s Japanese management to review and potentially move further parts of the business.

Lexus is currently also reviewing its creative account with up to five agencies reportedly vying for main creative duties on the Lexus roster. Globally Toyota is alligned with Dentsu which raises the potential that one of Aegis’s agencies may be in line for the account.

At this stage the media agencies on the Lexus dealer shortlist are unknown.

Nic Christensen 

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