Pitch Watch: Origin Energy, Spirit of Tasmania, HCF, Dulux, Star Ratings Australia, ANMF
Mumbrella casts an eye over the major media, creative and public relations pitches at play in market.
In this week’s wrap-up: Origin Energy (new media pitch), Spirit of Tasmania (new creative and media pitches), Dulux (creative appointment), HCF (creative and PR appointment), Australian Nursing & Midwives Federation (creative appointment), Star Ratings Australia (creative appointment).
Origin Energy pitches media
Utility company Origin Energy is pitching its media account, Mumbrella can reveal.
The move puts incumbent Mindshare on alert, with a number of media agencies expected to line up for the competitive pitch.
A spokesman for Origin confirmed the media pitch but noted that: “we will not be providing any additional commentary on this process while it is underway”.
The pitch comes at the same time at that Mediacom is defending its Energy Australia account which, as Mumbrella revealed last week, is also currently out to pitch.
Spirit of Tasmania pitches creative and media
The company that operates ferry services across the Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania I and II, has called for tenders for creative and media services.
Bernard Dwyer, CEO of the high-profile tourism operator, is looking for agencies that can help with its brand growth and recognition.
“We had an extremely successful year last year with the launch of the newly-refurbished Spirit of Tasmania vessels and we are looking to appoint a media agency and creative agency for a three-year term to build upon this success,” he said.
“In 2015, the vessels underwent a major refurbishment and we revamped the company website and internet booking platform, enhancing the online and on-board experience for all passengers.
The incumbent agencies are Maxus as media agency, and Cummins & Partners as creative agency.
Agencies interested in the tender are being asked to provide: a company profile; office locations, resources, etc; three case histories relevant to travel; direct response or a strategic re-positioning; current client list, and an overview of how their model works.
Dulux boosts BMF Melbourne with creative account
After a four-way pitch BMF has won the creative account for Dulux Paints, continuing to build the agency’s presence in Melbourne.
The agency will start work on the business immediately.
BMG managing director, Steve McArdle, said the win was an important one for the agency.
“Dulux is a deeply trusted, universally known and hugely loved brand. We’re honoured they’ve chosen BMF to help them drive it into an exciting new phase, marked by even greater innovation and ambition,” said McArdle.
With the Dulux win the Melbourne agency now handles Sportsbet and insurance group TAL.
HCF names The Monkeys to handle creative brief and adds Buchan PR to mix
The Monkeys has been appointed to handle the creative account for health insurer HCF in a major shift for the brand in what is expected to be a challenging year in the sector.
In a total shift for its marketing, HCF has also appointed Buchan PR to handle its communications.
The Monkeys confirmed the win, but declined to comment further.
Buchan said it was looking forward to working with Australia’s largest not-for-profit health insurer.
Last year HCF appointed Match Media to to its business.
Star Ratings Australia names Horizon Group to project
Communications agency Horizon Group has landed a six-month project for Star Ratings Australia, which gives star ratings to hotels and motels around the country, handling both business-to-business and business-to-consumer work.
The project will have a $750,000 budget over the course of six months as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Australia’s motoring organisations the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAC, RAA and RACT, work to promote the value of the ratings system.
Horizon won the tender against competition from branding and creative agencies.
SRA general manager, Damien Hanger, said: “Our selection panel, which comprised Auto Club and AMS executive management, felt Horizon offered the most compelling campaign for our business, both in terms of the insights they put behind their ideas as well as the creative tactics which tied their strategy together.”
Midwives look to Core for creative messages
Sydney-based independent creative agency Cor has won the creative account for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation with a brief to focus on aged care issues.
The win comes as the agency also appoints its first managing director – naming Jane Callister to the role.
Callister has a long history in advertising, having held leadership roles at M&C Saatchi, Whybin\TBWA, DDB, The Campaign Palace, Grey, JWT and George Patterson Bates.
The ANMF has briefed the agency to drive community action on aged care issues and help build membership.
Lee Thomas, political director at ANMF, said: “We are excited to be entering into this partnership with Core. They have demonstrated a passion to promote the great work and values of our members.”
Nic Christensen and Simon Canning
