TMS retains Lexus dealers securing Toyota relationship
Media agency TMS has retained the media account for the dealers for luxury car brand Lexus, Mumbrella can reveal.
The pitch was kicked off in April pitting TMS, which handles the account for the dealers as part of the wider relationship with Toyota, against UM, the Mediavest side of Starcom Mediavest and Publicis Media.
TMS CEO Chris Mort said in a statement: “TMS over the last couple of years has been quietly and steadily changing to ensure its offering is competitive and effective as it can be. To win against strong competition from an “incumbent” position gives me great confidence that the course we are on is the right one. The responsibility that comes with this win is clear and we greatly value the confidence that Lexus and their dealers have shown in us”
The media pitch saw the first time in more than a decade that a part of the Toyota, Lexus’s parent company, account had been out to tender, with TMS put on alert in April. It had been widely viewed in market
Lexus chief executive officer Sean Hanley said: “Lexus would like to congratulate TMS in successfully securing the dealer media buy. This is a new initiative and will complement our ongoing brand media buy that TMS manage on behalf of Lexus. Strategically it means that under one organisation we can evaluate, plan and manage our entire public presence in the marketing space.
“This is an extremely important time and decision for the Lexus brand in Australia, as the business continues to grow, driven by bold, stylish and innovative new vehicles. We are pleased with the outcome, it truly cements the relationship between Lexus, our dealers and media partners.”
The creative account for the company is also in play at the moment, with incumbents Oddfellows and Saatchi & Saatchi facing challenges from M&C Saatchi and another Sydney agency.
Miranda Ward
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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