EXCLUSIVE: Optus is reviewing its $73 million media account, as the Aegis Media / Harold Mitchell axis once again finds itself defending another big account.
The business is handled by MPG, which now falls under the Harold Mitchell umbrella, following Aegis Media's $363 takeover of Mitchell Communication Group almost a year ago.
Aegis media agency, Carat, recently lost the $180 million Tourism Australia media business to OMD as revealed by AdNews, while Mitchells is currently defending its Woolworths account. Mitchell's Medibank account is also in play.
The telco has approached a shortlist of media agencies, with a request for information. Optus is also reviewing its creative business, handled by M&C Saatchi, as first reported by AdNews.
A spokeswoman for Optus said: "We have this week informed the market that we are reviewing our existing media services agency agreement which is due to expire in March 2012.
“We have invited a short-list of media services agencies to tender for this contract, including incumbent MPG.”
Optus spent $72.5 million on main media advertising in the 12 months to November 2010, according to AdEx figures from Nielsen, up from $56.9 million in the prior period.
Read the latest print edition of AdNews for an exclusive interview with Aegis Media CEO Jerry Buhlmann, in which he talks about his relationship with Harold Mitchell and the company's plans for Australia.
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