Multinational advertising company OMD has effectively defended its media account for DFI Retail Group, a major pan-Asian retailer with locations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. After a competitive pitch, the agency will continue to handle its media responsibilities in APAC. The account, which is valued at almost $40 million, covers DFI’s subsidiary brands, including Mannings, Ikea, and Cold Storage.
During the pitching process, OMD was up against Mindshare, Dentsu, Publicis, and Mediabrands. With $1.2 billion in billings from 122 accounts, the agency led the global advertising agency rankings for new business activity from January to August 2023. This year, the agency has been extremely successful. In 2019, DFI Retail gave OMD its media mandate for the first time. Most recently, Bacardi, a spirits company, awarded OMD the global media account. After a competitive review, British fashion house Burberry also selected it in December 2022 to handle its worldwide media planning and buying responsibilities.
Read More: Amazon Ads and IPG Mediabrands Ink 3-year Deal for Upcoming Prime Video Ads
One of its most recent victories was the $187 million global account for the biggest privately held spirits company in the world, Bacardi. Nevertheless, OMD also lost many significant accounts. For instance, the $30.8 million French spirits brand Remy Cointreau in China. Another account was the $6.7 million Australian pharmaceutical company (a confidential client).
However, DFI Retail Group awarded M&C Saatchi Singapore a three-year contract with a one-year optional extension. The contract covered both Singapore and Malaysia in October 2022, capping their regional social pitch. DFI’s account in Malaysia will be managed by M&C Saatchi Malaysia. M&C Saatchi Malaysia and Singapore will collaborate to handle the work under the two verticals of digital strategy and creative for DFI’s SEO, social media, and electronic dance music initiatives. The account is already under work.
Read More: Wavemaker Defends the Media AOR For L’Oréal in Thailand
