EXCLUSIVE: OMD has emerged as the frontrunner in a three-way battle for Tourism Australia's $180 million global media account.
The Omnicom-owned agency has pulled ahead of incumbent Carat, which now falls under the Mitchells / Aegis axis, and WPP's MediaCom.
It is understood a recommendation has been made on the government tender to the office of Senator Ferguson, the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism.
A spokeswoman for Tourism Australia said the tender process was still ongoing and a decision had not yet been made. She said an agency will be in place before the current contract is due to expire.
The business covers Australia, the US, the UK, Japan, China and Singapore. The new three-year contract has been expanded to include search marketing, optimisation services, and social media marketing.
The pitch process kicked off in December, with Carat's contract due to expire on the 30th June.
Earlier this year, AdNews revealed that Tourism Australia had extended the creative account held by DDB Worldwide by one year to 30 June 2012.
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