ACCC report finds agency rebates are ‘not inherently a problem’, for now

Media agencies benefitting from rebates, discounts and incentives won’t face regulation or government scrutiny for now, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has preliminarily concluded.

While many agencies and holding groups will be relieved at the watchdog’s initial verdict, contained in the interim ad tech inquiry report, Thinkerbell’s general manager of media, Ben Shepherd, was unimpressed.

“I was surprised to see such an almost casual response to the significant issue of media rebates, hidden fees, incorrect reconciliation of fees, non-disclosed usage of related entities by agency groups, and the impact this has on advertisers and competition,” Shepherd told Mumbrella.