Multinationals line up against independent HM Communications for Coty media pitch
Omnicom, Havas and ZenithOptimedia are preparing to challenge independent HM Communication Group for the $10.5m Coty Australia media account, Mumbrella understands.
The global media pitch, first revealed by Mumbrella last week, marks the second occasion in recent years the independent agency, formerly Hyland Media, has been forced to defend one of its biggest accounts against global giants.
Ad Age has overnight listed the global holdings groups being brought into the media pitch noting that the cosmetics company is asking all agencies in the pitch to agree to 150-day lags in payment.
All agencies contacted declined to comment.
Coty brands include Rimmel, Calvin Klein Fragrances, Chloe, Guess and Marc Jacobs.
OMD holds the media accounts for the brand in the US and UK while Havas and Zenith hold the account in other markets.
However, in the case of Omnicom, it is thought that OMD is unlikely to line up here due to a conflict with Estee Lauder, raising the possibility PHD or Foundation may pitch for it locally.
Australia is one of the few markets where Coty has an independent media agency.
According to Nielsen, Coty Australia had an estimated media spend of $10.5m in the 12 months to March.
Nic Christensen
