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Pitch Watch: Swarovski and RACQ decide media duties

Mumbrella casts a regular eye over some of the media, creative and PR pitches in market.

In today’s wrap up: Swarovski moves global media; RACQ decides its media duties.

Australia a key market for Swarovski push

Jewellery and crystal giant Swarovski has consolidated its media and creative accounts into Havas as part of a global move.

swarovski logo

Havas Media will take over responsibilities from incumbent of nine years ZenithOptimedia on January 1, 2017, wit the account spanning 35 countries with Australia identified as one of the company’s key territories.

The account will include elements like social media and programmatic buying.

Senior vice president – branding, communication and media, CGB Swarovski, Alessandro Vergano said the company had “enjoyed” working with ZO for the past nine years and was committed to “the ongoing improvement of our media and marketing governance”.

“The team at Havas Media impressed us with their responsible yet imaginative and passionate approach – characteristics that are core to our company’s culture,” he added.

“Their strategic proposal was exactly what we need to help us achieve our goals as we move into our next phase of business development.

“We are confident that we have found the right partner to deliver strategic support, operational set-up and digital transformation.”

Dominique Delport, global managing director, Havas Media Group, added: “From the start we knew we had found something special – it was more than chemistry – it was a shared vision and passion.

“It was also clear we have a mutual focus on digital transformation. We know how important it is to keep the value that Swarovski has built up since 1895, but to also keep moving forward so that Swarovski can continue to design and deliver for the future. I know Swarovski will become one of our most valued long-term partners and we cannot wait to get started.”

RACQ sticks with UM after pitch

Queensland’s largest motoring club, RACQ, has chosen to stick with UM as its media agency after a competitive pitch.
RACQ logo

The company, which has revenues of more than $1bn annually, offers services including financial and motoring assistance to 1.6 million members.

The decision extends a relationship that has been in place for the past 12 years for another three years.

“Given the pace of change in the media landscape, this has been an incredibly important review for RACQ,” said Renee Davidson, RACQ general manager -marketing.

“We conducted the review to ensure we have the right partner to support the changing media environment, with the strategic and digital capabilities to support member engagement, growth and business transformation.

“We recognise the strength in UM’s Creative Connections platform and are very pleased to announce we are continuing with UM as our media agency.”

Ross Raeburn, CEO of UM Australia, said: “It’s often an awkward task for an incumbent agency to reinvent communications for an existing client into the future.

“RACQ’s marketing team is a progressive and talented group that easily embrace future challenges and we are clear on how Creative Connections will help them achieve their goals.”

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