Vodafone media pitch is suspended

Tim Burrowes

February 23, 2009 4:31

Days after promising that it was “business as usual”, Vodafone has suspended its media pitch in the light of its planned merger with 3.

This afternoon the company confirmed it had taken the decision to call a halt to the process, which was at its final stages.

The three finalists agencies – incumbent Ikon, PHD, and Universal McCann made their final presentations to the company several weeks ago.

But the process, which was one of a series of reviews around the globe, has become increasingly chaotic in recent weeks. First marketing director Craig Herbison departed. Then the merger was announced.

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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3 COMMENTS

Anonymous 23 Feb 09

This happens far too often. Agencies break their necks, put their personal lives on hold, to win pitches. Then have the rug pulled out at the last moment.

Just look at the last two big pitches – Fairfax was stinky as anything. Now Vodafone’s a mess.

Why on earth do agencies keep doing it to themselves?

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Mr Client 24 Feb 09

Why does this sort of thing happen? Because agencies allow it to.

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