Pitch Watch: Air New Zealand pitches media; Greencross parts with TMS; Pharmacare begins media pitch

Mumbrella casts an eye over the major media, creative and public relations pitches at play in market.

In today’s wrap up: Air New Zealand (media pitch); Pharmacare (media pitch); Greencross (media split); Fiat Chrysler (media); Sailor Jerry (content); QSRH (media); Coty (media)

Air New Zealand pitches media

Air New Zealand is in the midst of a media review in Australia and its home territory, putting incumbents PHD and OMD on alert, Mumbrella can reveal.

The airline, known best in marketing terms for its quirky air safety videos and content plays, said its current contracts were up for renewal, and it was taking a chance to go to market.

“As a result we are currently reviewing our media partners,” a spokesperson said.

“This review has commenced with an invitation only RFI. On completion of this phase an RFP will follow.”

Quick Service Restaurants

The firm behind Oporto, Chicken Treat and Red Rooster Quick Service Restaurants is understood to have drawn up a shortlist for its media account.

Mumbrella understands incumbents Bohemia will battle it out with Starcom, Havas and Mindshare for the business which is worth an estimated $25m.

All agencies approached declined to comment.

Fiat Chrysler media will be regional appointment

Another significant media account in play currently is Fiat Chrysler, which has pitched all of its media globally between its incumbent agencies.

Mumbrella understands the pitch for the Asia Pacific region took place a fortnight ago in China, with the decision on who runs the Australian arm made on the basis of the pan-Asian decision.

It is thought Carat and UM were represented in the process as well as local incumbent Maxus, whose Australian CEO Mark McCraith did a stint as Fiat Chrysler’s marketer in Australia.

Pharmacare quietly approaches media agencies

The company behind brands such as Nature’s Way, Bioglan, Ease a Cold and Brut is understood to have quietly been in market tendering its media, Mumbrella understands.

It could see the brand parting ways with incumbent agency Mediacom, with Pharmacare understood to have an estimated spend of around $20m across its portfolio.

Mediacom snared the account at the height of its powers in 2012 from rivals Starcom, resigning rival brand Blackmores as a result.

It is unclear exactly which agencies have been approached, but it is thought one multinational and an independent are on the list.

All agencies approached declined to comment.

Petbarn owner Greencross ends The Media Store relationship after eight years

Greencross, the owners of Petbarn, are set to part ways with independent media agency The Media Store after eight years.

It is not clear whether the pet-centred company, which also runs vet practices, City Farmers and Pets Eternal – memorial services for pets – has found a new agency partner.

The two are set to split in mid-November, but the agency “will not participate in the imminent brand campaign activity.”

The Media Store CEO, Craig Jepsen said: “Whilst we are obviously not happy to see our relationship with Petbarn (Greencross Ltd) come to an end, we are extremely proud of the strategies and initiatives that we applied throughout that extraordinary growth period.

“We do, however, recognise and respect that the strategic realignment of the now Greencross Ltd business and brand has brought us to this point. We sincerely wish them every ongoing success.”

Greencross has been contacted for comment.

Sailor Jerry names Kontented as first retained Aussie agency 

Content strategy and activation company Kontented is the first retained agency for William Grant & Sons brand Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, tasked with to creating the inaugural Jerry Can Ride.

The Jerry Can Ride 2016 is an event, activation, social media campaign and mini doc series exposé into the world of Sailor Jerry.

It includes 20 custom café racer bikes, a 1962 fully customised chrome Airstream and the Sailor Jerry Rat Dodge which will be travelling 2,000km across Australia, visiting people, bars and venues  while, sharing their stories from ten days on the road.

Kontented founder and CEO Kate Edwards said: “This is such an amazing project that has been a long time in the making. We are so passionate about the Sailor Jerry brand and are proud to be chosen to be its protectors and custodians. Sailor Jerry is a real no bullshit brand and Kontented is real no bullshit company – it’s a match made in heaven. 2000km in 10 days with 20 custom bikes…..just think of the stories.”

Sailor Jerry marketing manager, Andrew Skehan, said: “We wanted to work with Kontented because they understood the brand, their expertise creating amazing content campaigns and their attention to logistical detail. In the words of Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins “You must understand the feeling of originality as opposed to imitating” and that’s what we plan to do on this ride.”

Coty expands HM Communications remit after P&G brands buy

Make up and beauty firm Coty has handed the media duties for a raft of newly acquired brands to incumbent Australian media agency HM Communications.

The company has bought big name brands including Hugo Boss and Gucci fragrances and the cosmetics brands Covergirl and Max Factor from P&G in a global deal.

While global media agency ZenithOptimedia will handle the accounts in other markets independent HM has been entrusted with them locally, with the agency set to hire more staff to cater for the increased work.