Expect the brief to land on your desk in mid-December, just when your average nervous client starts to worry about their full-year results.
That meatiest of pitches, BT's media buying, is moving ahead. The company is talking to holding companies about the brief, with Omnicom, WPP, Publicis Groupe and Aegis all expected to be involved. BT's preferred option in the procurement-led process is said to involve consolidating planning and buying into one network or holding company. The incumbent agencies, Starcom, Zed Media and Mediaedge:cia, are all expected to be involved in the pitch.
DHL's global pitch is said to be a two-horse race. The mighty Ogilvy versus the minnow-like M&C Saatchi.
Meanwhile, Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy, McCann Erickson, Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R and WCRS have made it to the Premier Foods shortlist. Bad news for the incumbents Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, CHI & Partners, Publicis and DDB London.
Weight Watchers has shortlisted its incumbents, Carat and Mediaedge:cia, to pitch for its UK media planning and buying business. Expect a fast decision.
