OMD Defends its Media Responsibilities for DFI Retail Group in APAC
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.
OMD’s Media Duties for DFI Retail Group
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.
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OMD’s recent wins
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).
DFI Retail Group Collaborations
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.
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Nadim Samara Quits Omnicom After Being With Them For 19 Years
CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA, Nadim Samara has decided to quit OMG. He will be relieved from his role in OMG, on 30 June 2020. This decision was taken after a mutual agreement between Nadim and OMG.
OMG is parent company group for PHD, Hearts and Science media agencies and OMD.
From 2016 to 2018, Nadim had been the CEO of OMD’s UAE operations. Later, he got promoted to become CEO of OMD MENA. In June 2019, Nadim became the CEO of OMG MENA.
To make sure the smooth working of the group, due to the vacant position of CEO, Ellie Khouri, the Executive Chairman of the group, has decided to add the functioning of CEO to his role. He was handling this role before Nadim got promoted to this job responsibility.
Khouri said, “Nadim’s career at Omnicom Media Group, spanning 17 years, has been very impressive and his contribution to our group’s development cannot be overstated. As well as a consummate professional, we bid farewell to a dear friend with whom we’ve shared countless experiences, challenges and successes. We wish him nothing but the best for his next career move.”
It would be exciting to know, “What would be the next big step by Nadim Samara after leaving OMG?”