NSW Gov media tender leaves indies fuming, as FOI finds international consultants responsible for criteria

The Independent Media Agencies Australia (IMAA) has doubled down on its Freedom of Information request to the NSW Government, as it challenges the state’s expression of interest (EOI) for its $73 million master media agency account, representing all buying and planning for government departments.

The NSW Government revealed the names of two firms involved in the advisory board that developed the requirements, however industry figures believe the government is “hiding behind words” as it continues to stand by the terms set out in the EOI, and that there was further collusion with international companies to lock out local businesses from the process.

Independent media agencies have expressed concerns that this could lead to a major under-servicing of smaller government departments, as Australian-owned, local businesses don’t meet the criteria, with the government contradicting itself in engaging international firms for local work.