The Sanitarium account is on the loose and it looks like it’s curtains for Ogilvy, the long-time incumbent.
It’s had the account for 10 years both as Ogilvy and as one-time sister agency Star.
Ogilvy is included in the review process, which will be managed by consultant Paul Head of Strategic Thinking +.
A spokeperson for Sanitarium said the review was prompted by the recent departure of several key staff members who worked on the account at Ogilvy.
Reading between the lines, the loss of ECD Jeremy Taine has been a blow all around for the agency, which also looks to lose RaboPlus.
Sanitarium marketing manager Mark Roper maintains the relationship with the agency is good, but the time has come to review the options available.
Up for grabs are brands such as So Good, Marmite, Weet-Bix and Up&Go.
The official word comes just months after Ad Hoc first reported the business was on shaky ground. A marketing spokesperson at the food giant said the account was safely with Ogilvy.
The media business, which is handled by SparkPHD, is not affected.
Sanitarium appointed Singleton Ogilvy & Mather spinoff agency Star Advertising back in 2002, winning the business back from Colenso BBDO after a secret competitive pitch.
It then reviewed the business again in 2003, wanting to encompass healthy eating into its messages. The great irony then was that three out of four of the pitching agencies (DDB, GeneratorBates and Star) all had ties to fast-food accounts.
In the end, Star held on to the Sanitarium account, but in this instance, Ogilvy might not be so lucky.
Interested agencies should approach Mr Head on 021 574 062.
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Ogilvy account up for grabs
2609