Westpac
Big four bank Westpac's creative pitch process is moving into a new phase, described as a restart by insiders, AdNews can reveal.
Industry insiders close to the pitch say the process, after many months of briefing, whittled down to two.
AdNews revealed the final three included Accenture's The Monkeys, Publicis Groupe's Saatchi & Saatchi and VML.
After giving the final two a new briefing, Westpac was said to put the process on hold.
In late December, Westpac then backtracked by re-inviting the shortlist of five agencies to re-pitch as the brand was said to be starting the process over again, AdNews understands.
This includes Howatson+Co, Accenture, VML, Publicis Groupe and incumbent DDB which publicly announced its 13-year partnership with Westpac was ending.
At the time, DDB's executive leadership team said it’s a bittersweet farewell with the work being some of the agency’s proudest moments.
AdNews cannot confirm which agencies accepted to re-pitch.
AdNews has received numerous complaints about the process, dubbing it as an example of the "worst behaved" and "embarrassing for all parties involved".
A Westpac spokesperson confirmed to AdNews the pitch is moving into a new phase.
"We're undertaking a thorough pitch process for a new creative agency to take the Westpac brand forward," the spokesperson said.
"As Australia's oldest company and one of its most prominent brands, we recognise this is a highly competitive and robust tender process.
"As we move into a new phase of the pitch, we thank those agencies which have been unsuccessful.
"We will have more to say about the future of the Westpac creative account once a final decision has been made."
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