Big W hands Saatchi’s its account after 6 way pitch – ends 20 year relationship with Ideaworks
One of Australia’s largest retailers Big W has appointed Saatchi & Saatchi as its advertising agency following a pitch process in which six agencies vied for the iconic retail brand. The move ends a 20 year relationship with incumbent Ideaworks.
It gets Saatchi’s back into the retail sector, coming a year and a half after losing the prized David Jones business to M&C Saatchi, Sydney, as CB revealed exclusively in July 2010.
“As soon as we heard that the Big W account was up for pitch we instinctively knew they were the right retail partner for us,” says Saatchi & Saatchi Australia chief executive, Michael Rebelo (pictured).
The appointment is the agency’s first major account win since Rebelo took up the CEO role last November – as revealed exclusively by CB at the end of September – and the arrival of new ECD Damon Stapleton – revealed exclusively by CB back in November – and planning director, Jason Lonsdale both of whom started in January.
“Our appointment to such an iconic Australian brand is a great endorsement of the new team and momentum we’re building at the agency, Rebelo says.
”Big W have ambitious plans and a creative appetite that marries nicely with the culture were creating,” he said. “The retail landscape in Australia is arguably one of the most competitive trading environments so working with Big W is hugely exciting for us.”
Saatchi & Saatchi Australia begins its partnership with Big W immediately.
14 Comments
Congratulations Wolf & team!
Nice to see them back in the winners’ circle. Hope they can keep up the momentum.
David Jones to Big W.
Live big for less.
oooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
CB are amazingballs when it comes to EXCLUSIVE REVEALS, eh?
The orange bellied parrot is saved from extinction.
Those big w ads were so bad their floor staff started resigning. Hope sar-cheese can convince the client to do something better.
Next get Rebelo Sport!
The total purge of management mid-pitch, probably wouldn’t have helped Ideaworks all that much.
Careful what you wish for Saatchi. My crystal balls predict “much pain ahead”.
NOTE TO RUSSELL: Ideaworks coming under the omnipotent regard of UM&R’s executive creative director falls at the first hurdle.
Fantastic ! Great job SandS, I’m sure this will be the first of many wins this year. Well done.
say after me – “we’re not going to merge Ideaworks into Patts, we’re not going to merge Ideaworks into Patts….”
Patts Y&R Palace Works