Carnival Australia has begun discussions with a handful of media agencies as it conducts the Australian leg of a global Carnival Corporation media review, AdNews understands.
MediaCom has been the incumbent for several years and is defending against Carat, Vizeum and potentially others.
Carnival Australia brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
In the past year, Carnival Australia spent $20 million on media, led by Princess Cruise Lines ($7.3 million), P&O Cruises ($5.7 milion) and Carnival Cruise Lines ($3.6 million).
Late last year, the US-based Carnival Corporation announced a review of its global media agency relationships and costs, looking for "cross-brand opportunities" to refine agency support.
The global review covers the US, UK, Australia and other important regional hubs.
In other pitch news, Engery company pitches, including Origin and Energy Australia, are in their final rounds. Mindshare holds Origin while Mediacom is defending Energy Australia.
The 21st Century Fox pitch is progressing overseas as Australian presentations have wound up. A decision is unlikely to be made until other regions have completed presentations.
Meanwhile, Coles has whittled its shortlist down to three.
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