QBE moves its $15m Australian media account from Carat to Havas Media after pitch
Insurance company QBE has appointed Havas Media as its new media agency on its $15m media account, Mumbrella can reveal.
The decision sees the account move from incumbent Carat and follows what began as a five way media pitch involving Match Media, The Media Store, ZenithOptimedia and Havas Media in April.
QBE is the largest Australian-based global insurer, providing services mainly to Australia, America, Europe and Asia Pacific region.
Comment is being sought from QBE, while Havas Media did not respond to requests for comment this morning but it is understood that agencies were advised of the decision over the weekend.
The insurer last year appointed Core as its creative agency after putting its account to pitch.
Mumbrella first revealed the pitch in April with the shortlist being reduced to Carat, ZenithOptimedia and Havas after Easter.
Havas Media won the Emerging Agency of the Year title at the Mumbrella Awards earlier this month.
According to Nielsen in Australia the company has an estimated $11.8m main media spend over the last 12 months, although with the digital component the spend is likely to be closer to $15m.
Nic Christensen
Update Thursday July 2 4.00pm – QBE has today confirmed that Mumbrella’s report from Monday:
Havas Media Group Australia has added QBE to its growing client portfolio, winning the media account following a competitive pitch.
Mike Wilson, CEO, Havas Media Group Australia, commented, “This is a fantastic win for our agency as QBE becomes one of the biggest clients in our expanding portfolio. We’re excited about the opportunities smart strategy, innovation, and data and analytics have to offer within the insurance category, and we’re looking forward to working with QBE to drive its campaigns further.”
Havas Media will begin work with QBE immediately and will manage the insurance brand’s media buying portfolio across all media.
Mike you are the man!
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