UPDATE: Thinkerbell declines Endeavour Group creative pitch invite
The incumbents on Endeavour Group’s core brands – M&C Saatchi and Thinkerbell – are not taking part in the current creative agency pitch process, Mumbrella can confirm.
Endeavour Group has pitched the creative account, seeking one lead agency for its portfolio, including its core brands BWS and Dan Murphy’s, for which the incumbents are M&C Saatchi and Thinkerbell.
Mumbrella earlier reported that M&C Saatchi was cut from the pitch, while Thinkerbell was one of two agencies left. Mumbrella has since received a statement from Thinkerbell, verifying it has instead declined to take part in the invite-only pitch process.
Just want to say this could’ve been a more aspirational post for the entire industry for one big reason in my opinion.
When I used to work at The Monkeys, any staff that went to client slide, aka marketing side, was guaranteed to engage The Monkeys again. It was proof of strong relationships.
Here we have an ex MD at Thinkerbell go to the client, and the agency declining to pitch on an ex staffer now at the helm. Absolutely there’s a million other reasons they could’ve declined to pitch. BUT its always amazing when relationships … no matter what side…. continue and grow!
I have worked on both brands and I can assure you Thinkerbell have made the right decision.
I do recognise how hard it is for agencies right now but good on Thinkerbell for having the strength to make the right decision for their agency, rather than chasing the dollars. I have no insight into why they declined and this comment is no reflection on the client, but in general terms, the more that integrity of choice in participation is exercised by pitching agencies, the better pitching will become.
The orange boots have walked off to shop elsewhere. EDG marketing team is a nightmare to work with.
The BWS work is solid. Why pitch, seems like an odd thing to do with everything else going on there.
I’m sure this was a well meaning review but headlines on a Friday like this don’t look good
It’s an enviable position to be in with the market the way it is right now. Can’t imagine there are too many agencies out there who would be declining a pitch of this size.
Insecure clients often call a pitch because they think the pitch process locks them in for a period of time. Must be a shakey environment over there given the tanking share price and shareholder unrest.
On behalf of all agency client relationships – thank you.
Endeavours’s challenges go far deeper than anything than marketing can solve.
Drinking rituals have changed dramatically as have the rules of the game.
It’s extremely difficult for a retailer to make a difference.
Let alone an agency.
Even a very good one like Thinkerbell.