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Volkswagen consolidates commercial vehicle and Skoda brands with DDB Sydney following pitch

VolkswagenVolkswagen Group Australia has appointed DDB Sydney to handle its creative account for its Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Skoda brands, Mumbrella can reveal.

The appointment follows an extensive review and pitch process which kicked off in September last year.

Mumbrella understands DDB Sydney, the incumbent Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles agency, beat out rivals Host and Droga5 for the accoun, while the Skoda business passes to it from incumbent The Works.

Volkswagen Passenger Vehicle’s general manager of marketing Ben Wilks said: “We are pleased to continue our long term relationship with DDB. It was a difficult decision due to the impressive calibre of the pitching agencies, however, DDB provided the best fit for our business.”

Ralph Beckmann, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle’s marketing manager, added: “We were very impressed with the thorough research and insights that all of the agencies presented. Working with DDB Sydney will open up a lot of exciting opportunities for collaboration with our sister brands within the Volkswagen Group,” said Mr Beckmann.

Skoda Australia’s marketing manager, Madeleine Kjessler, said:” We believe there is a massive opportunity in Australia for the Skoda brand and we look forward to working with DDB to create exciting and memorable new campaigns in the future.”

DDB holds the Volkswagen account globally.

The Works creative partner Kevin Macmillian said: “After eight great years of working with Skoda and delivering significant business results for them we’re sad they’re going but understand the desire to align the brand financially and operationally with the agency representing the VW Group globally.

“The Works has long-standing relationships with a number of clients and brands most notably Jim Beam, which we have worked with for more than a decade.  As one relationship ends another one begins. We’re looking forward to starting with our newest client Optus as well as continuing to work with our other ambitious clients.”

DDB Sydney were behind the ‘Family of Cars’ campaign for Volkswagen which launched in October 2013 and also worked on the  campaign for the new Polo.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles most recent campaign featured Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross who traveled around Australia to meet and interview four owners of the utility vehicle. It was made by creative agency Hubink.

Miranda Ward

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