STW to start ‘new agency’ under Pat Crowley to defend CommBank as M&C Saatchi enters pitch

“Should Crowley be unsuccessful in retaining the CBA business then it is understood he will take a senior role at Ikon.”

It begs the question that if they do indeed fail to retain CBA, what senior role would he go into? What senior roles would be left?

Wow that’s confusing! So is it Pat’s agency, part of Ikon or part of WPP?

What ever happened to restraint clauses in employment agreements? Surprised he could just go…

That aside, this sounds like STW going back to its village model (albeit just media) – which it’s trotted out before for CBA, Vodafone & Myer.

This is not a good look for anyone involved, except perhaps for Pat and more likely for M&CS. I quite like this returning trend of full service.

which WPP agency would do the buying? Mediacom has Westpac and Mindshare has NAB – surely they have non compete arrangements with other retail banks?

And even if Pat does win, what’s wrong with Ikon continuing to do the buying.. or are they publicly admitting their media buying rates are substandard?

Mediaedge:CIA or MEC, not sure what it is called these days……..

And the wheel turns.
Media back where it belongs.
Finally common sense prevails.

Money CAN talk…..???

“It was a really hard decision to leave Ikon as it’s been such a significant part of my life for the past 12 years, however I felt a change in my career was needed. When I reviewed the market Match stood out as the place to be and culturally was a strong connection, and we began discussions a few weeks ago.
“I’m joining the agency when it’s at the top of its game but also recognise its amazing potential. I can’t wait to be part of the next chapter in Match’s development.”

“The CBA Group has been a big part of my professional career and to have the opportunity to focus all of my efforts on leading them and the team on the exciting next stage of their media journey is something I could not afford to miss.”

@ a trifle harsh. Anyone who knows Pat for any amount of time will tell you he doesn’t chase the money.

@Nope I’m sure he doesn’t but something doesn’t add up here….I know Pat has a terrific reputation as an operator with great integrity, which makes this sudden turnaround even more out of character.

why would they think of outsourcing buying to WPP?

Can’t Ikon buy its own media at a competitive rate… staggering public admission..!!

If it’s easy enough to setup a media agency overnight what value do media agencies really offer? A media agency consists of about 5 pro forma spreadsheets of the buy they’re shoving down their clients throat. The rest is smoke and mirrors. Their is no strategy.

If they don’t win cba he will take a senior role at Ikon… Doing what? They won’t have any clients left!

@A harsh trifle
Great integrity …..enough said

deciding if the funniest thing about this article is that almost everything said isn’t true or that the comments are so vile. quality all around!

@CLOSE OUT & @news you’re right. This story will play out in it’s own time, and the truth will be known to the people who need to know it.

Good luck to all the players in this pitch…it’s going to be as interesting to watch as the Carat / Woolworths scenario…..

“Mumbrella understands……” how about Mumbrella checks its facts before rushing to run a story. Long live journalistic integrity. You have it in bucket loads.

Really Mumbrella? How about reporting without such an obvious agenda? Agree with @News and @Move on. We should all do that – just move on – to another trade journal.