MEC retains SA Government campaign account and wrestles ‘functional’ element from Starcom
MEC boss Peter Vogel
MEC has retained the South Australian Government’s $30m brand campaign business in addition to wrestling the ‘functional’ non-campaign component of the account from incumbent Starcom MediaVest.
MEC has held the campaign portion on the account since 2010.
The functional account will be handled in partnership with WPP sister agency Blaze and will provide MEC with a “broader whole of Government perspective”, chief executive Peter Vogel said.
MEC Adelaide managing director Peter Bucklow said he was “delighted” to continue its media partnership with the state Government.
“It is a credit to the hard work of our MEC team, led by Matt Hofmeyer, which has been able to forge strong relationships across all areas of Government while delivering quality channel solutions.” he said.
“The volatile media landscape presents many challenges for all clients and we look forward to helping the SA Government navigate this ever-changing environment.”
Vogel added: “The inclusion of functional advertising in this contract will give us a broader whole of Government perspective. We are excited to be working with Blaze Advertising, the most awarded recruitment advertising agency in Australia, to usher in a new era of Government functional advertising.”
It is the latest major win for MEC, and follows its success in securing the $60m Nestlé account at the end of 2014.
The agency has also expanded its national footprint expansion with new offices in Melbourne and Brisbane.
The South Australian Government said in a statement: “MEC will be the sole supplier of both Brand and Functional advertising services, overseeing the planning, placement and buying of advertising worth about $30 million a year (excluding GST).
“It’s an expansion of MEC’s relationship with the South Australian Government, having supplied Brand services to the Government since 2010.”
The three year contract begins on July 1 with the “potential to be extended for a further two years”.
Steve Jones
