Havas Media has been appointed media agency of Kia Motors following a competitive pitch, AdNews can reveal.
Havas takes over above the line media buying and planning of the $19 million account from Initiative, which declined to defend the account. Havas joins Admatic - responsible for digital and programmatic media - on Kia's roster.
Havas beat a host of media agencies to the automotive giant, including Ikon and MediaCom.
“Havas Media proved to be the right fit. They are a new media agency in town and have had good success in their first three years. I like Mike and his team. They are ambitious, nimble and innovative and they’re not scared to try new things,” says Peter Fitzhardinge, the CEO of Innocean Australia - Kia and Hyundai's global in-house agency.
“Initiative have been a major part of Kia’s success since 2008 and I thank them for all they have done to help build the brand and the business over this time.”
Mike Wilson, Havas Media CEO, adds: “All of us at Havas Media are extremely proud and excited to be working with both Innocean and Kia Motors. We’ll look to contribute some dynamic, fresh thinking to the business and look forward to helping Kia continue its rapid growth in Australia.”
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