The Virgin Australia pitch is thought to be down to four agencies, including M&C Saatchi, DDB Sydney, Clemenger Sydney and TBWA Sydney.
AdNews understands Clemenger Sydney was working on the account up until last year when the airline begun taking its creative in-house in an attempt to cut agency budgets and save $300m by 2019.
Former Telstra marketer Inese Kingsmill, who recently joined the company as head of marketing and customer engagement, is leading the pitch and fronted the decision to hire an agency.
Michael Dole has been heading up the internal creative team, thought be assisted by Joy founder Graeme Wills, who recently left the agency, taking the Virgin business with him.
It is unclear how the internal team will be impacted once a new agency is selected.
The agency roster for the airline previously included Clemenger BBDO Sydney, Hulsbosch, Carat and Design Team.
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