Publicis’ Zenith wins competitive pitch for Disney’s APAC account, dethroning Carat
Publicis’ Zenith has won Disney’s APAC media account after a competitive global pitch, dethroning Dentus Aegis Network’s (DAN) Carat. Mumbrella understands the account transition is to commence immediately for a 2020 start.
Carat retained the account, worth $19.4m, in 2015 after facing off against PHD, and again in 2018. Tom Andrews was hired in April to lead the account after Laura Bartal departed, but DAN did not comment on how Andrews, and others working on the account, would be impacted by Publicis’ win.
Zenith’s remit will include Disney Studios, Disney+ and theme parks in the region.
“We’re thrilled with the win. It was an amazing team effort and I’m so proud of the work and contribution of our local team,” Zenith’s local CEO, Nickie Scriven, said.
The APAC switch up was part of a global media review that saw Omnicom and Publicis emerge as the winners. Publicis Media secured planning and buying responsibilities for Disney theme parks and streaming service Disney+ in North America, and all media business in not only the APAC region but Latin America and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
According to AdAge, Publicis chair and CEO Arthur Sadoun issued an internal memo revealing that a bespoke unit would be set up for Disney called Publicis Imagine.
Carat has lost big accounts such as Super Retail Group, Virgin Australia, Asahi, Mondelēz International, Amart, and Bega, but has added United Airlines, Beacon Lighting, Event Hospitality and Entertainment and Grill’d, as well as retaining the $50m Medibank account.
Today, it was also revealed that the agency lost the David Jones account, with the department store naming UM Thrive as its new media partner.
DAN and Disney were approached for comment.
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Awesome news Zenith, another new business win and great client to work on. Clearly now the agency to work with from Publicis Groupe locally!
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