Nestle has confirmed it is pitching its media account in Australia and New Zealand. News of the review emerged three weeks ago but it is now clear which agencies are in the running.
GroupM units MediaCom and MEC will face off for the account held by ZenithOptimedia since 2004. ZenithOptimedia has been invited to defend the business and the pitch will be completed within three months.
According to Nielsen estimates, Nestle Australia spent $59.4m on main media in calender year 2013.
Last year the FMCG giant handed its $750m US media business to GroupM and the group has been pitching its business around the world over the last couple of years. Until now, Australia and New Zealand are the only markets within Asia, Africa and Oceania that had remained untouched.
Locally, top marketer David Morgan left the business in December, with Thérèse Kallie parachuted in from Nestle's South African business.
Nestle Australia issued the following statement this afternoon:
Nestlé has announced that it is conducting a pitch for its media business in Australia and New Zealand, the first full scale review since 2004. Zenith Optimedia, part of the Publicis Group, has held the account over this period.
As part of the company’s global best practice standards for regular review of agencies media, Nestlé has invited global partners Mediacom and MEC and the incumbent Zenith Optimedia to participate.
The agency review will involve the media strategy, planning and buying for all its brands including Kit Kat, Nescafé, Milo and Maggi.
Nestlé’s Head of Media and Digital, Antonia Farquhar, will lead the process and a decision on the selected agency will be made in October, in preparation for the company’s 2015 communication plans.
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