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Pitch Watch: EA leaves Mediacom for new Havas agency; Stan picks a media agency; Virgin Mobile’s creative shortlist

Mumbrella casts an eye over the major media, creative and public relations pitches at play in market. 

EA GamesIn this week’s wrap up the latest on: EA Games (account move), Stan (account move), Virgin, Slater & Gordon, Brisbane City Council (new creative digital pitch), Monash University, Kallis (account move).

EA Games moves from Mediacom to Havas Group’s new agency Arena Media – media 

Consumer videogame brand Electronic Arts is the latest major client to depart Mediacom, Mumbrella can reveal.

EA’s departure follows the decision of Canon – which has moved to Mediavest – and Slater & Gordon which has also called a pitch (see below).

Intriguingly the account has been won by Havas Media Group’s Arena Media brand.

Up until last month Arena Media was not a Havas brand that had been active in Australia, but it appears EA Games will be its first major client in this market.Screen Shot 2015-08-31 at 8.29.46 pm

Havas Media’s local boss Mike Wilson refused to comment, but it is thought there may have been a conflict between EA and Havas client and competitor Ubisoft, leading the agency to launch the new proposition Arena Media, which exists in other markets, locally.

The account is thought to be worth around $5m.

Update September 2: It is now understood that the pitch was part of a regional realignment from Mediacom to Arena Media.

Stan OMD wins Stan – media 

Streaming video on demand (SVOD) service Stan has appointed OMD as its media agency, Mumbrella can reveal.

The SVOD market has been making headlines for much of 2015 but the appointment of a media agency is interesting as much of Stan’s media buying had previously been in-house, with parent companies Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment selling them inventory on their media.

A spokesman for Stan today confirmed that the SVOD service was working with OMD.

Stan is rumoured to have a $10m-$20m marketing budget as it seeks to fight SVOD behemoths Netflix, on the one side, and Presto, on the other.

Virgin MobileVirgin Mobile – creative 

The workings in and around the Optus and Virgin pitches continue to grind on, with agencies lining up for presentations this week on the creative, PR and social.

On the Virgin creative shortlist are thought to be four agencies: Havas, Whybin\TBWA, Leo Burnett and BMF.

The inclusion of Enero agency BMF is interesting given the agency has rival Amaysim.

The pitch sees creative, public relations and social all wrapped into one with agencies able to put their hand up for the whole account or pitch for individual parts.

Specialist agencies are also thought to be involved.  All agencies contacted declined to comment.

Screen Shot 2015-09-01 at 10.50.41 amSlater & Gordon – media 

Yesterday Mumbrella revealed law firm Slater & Gordon is pitching its $9m media account.

A shortlist of agencies, mostly based out Melbourne, are thought to be lining up for the pitch among those rumoured to be on the shortlist are incumbent Mediacom up against Carat, Havas, PHD and Slingshot.

The pitch is understood to be heavily data and analytics focused with John Turner of The Portland Group at the helm.

All agencies contacted declined to comment.

Screen Shot 2015-09-01 at 10.55.00 amBrisbane City Council – creative & digital 

Brisbane City Council is tendering for its creative and digital services, Mumbrella can reveal.

The account is held by a roster of agencies including GPY&R Brisbane and Juniorcru- recently rebranded as Ogilvy Brisbane.

Agencies have until tomorrow to submit their RFPs.

Simplot1Simplot – media 

The media pitch for Simplot is entering its final stages with the final shortlist of Dentsu Aegis, PHD and Initiative understood to have done final presentations in the last few days.

Simplot, which has major brands Edgell, Birdseye, Lean Cuisine and Leggo’s, is expected to make a decision on its $11.9m media account in the coming weeks.

All agencies contacted declined to comment.

Screen Shot 2015-09-01 at 11.10.04 amMonash University – brand review 

There has been some market speculation that Monash University might join the slew of universities to have reviewed their agencies in recent times, ahead of potential governmental regulatory reform.

A spokesman for the university confirmed to Mumbrella this was not the case, but said it was reviewing its brand: “Monash University is not currently pitching for agencies or changing our logo identity. We are in the process of reviewing our brand, with a specific focus on improving digital representation, such as our web presence and content.”

Monash’s current agencies include Naked Communications, Curated Content, 10 Feet Tall and Vizeum.

RGB_KJA_LOGO_AP_BLKVizeum wins Kailis Jewellery – media 

Vizeum Sydney has been awarded the media account for Australian jewellery brand Kailis.

Mark Majzner, general manager of Kailis Jewellery, said: “A strategic decision was taken to move to a partner with specialist digital media buying expertise. We were very impressed with Vizeum’s customer research tools, team and particularly their experience with luxury brands.”

Vizeum Sydney’s managing director Nick Behr said: “Vizeum is very excited to be working with a great Australian heritage brand. We believe we can drive true business value back toKailis through our consumer centric approach and digital expertise”.

The agency declined to specify the value of the account.

Nic Christensen and Miranda Ward 

Previous Pitch Watches: 

SOURCE 468X60_JAN2014

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