Hotly contested account winner revealed
JWT has won the hotly contested PlaceMakers account after a highly competitive pitch process.
Managing director Simon Lendrum confirmed the win, saying he is thrilled at the coup.
The agency has taken it from neighbouring agency Ogilvy, which parted company with the account late last year and declined to repitch.
Ogilvy won it in 2008.
It's a huge win for JWT, as the pitch was understood to include everything: Media, creative, retail, trade and loyalty.
Other agencies rumoured to have been in the mix were Y&R, TBWA and DDB.
PlaceMakers CEO John Beveridge said the agency shone on several fronts and he was impressed with the “all-round strategic ability of their team, their understanding of our business, and how PlaceMakers can connect with even more New Zealanders”.
Mr Lendrum said the appointment was the perfect start to the year after a solid 2010.
“JWT performed well creatively in 2010, being one of only four New Zealand agencies bringing back awards from Cannes, and the PlaceMakers appointment has been a great validation of our strategic strengths.
"We’re looking forward to a busy and productive year with the PlaceMakers team.”
It’s understood JWT head of planning Jacqueline Smart was instrumental in the win.
PlaceMakers has an annual turnover of $950 million.
JWT will partner with direct marketing agency Twenty on the work.
Ogilvy worked on the business for around two and a half years.
It won the business in April 2008 after an equally competitive pitch including the usual list of suspects.
It came down to the big O and TBWA arm Tequila.
The business had been awarded to Lowe in May 2002 after four years with GeneratorBates.
However, when Lowe wound up under the same roof as fellow Interpublic agency DraftFCB in late 2007, the conflict with FCB account Mitre 10 saw the account go to pitch.
Hazel Phillips
Tue, 18 Jan 2011
Tue, 18 Jan 2011
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Hotly contested account winner revealed
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