Lowe New Zealand has lost the high profile Vodafone account with at least 10 people being made redundant at the agency as a result.
Vodafone has launched a pitch to find a replacement for Lowe, with Colenso, JWT and Ogilvy all making the shortlist.
Stephen Pearson, CEO for Lowe Australasia said the Vodafone loss had triggered a restructuring at the agency, with 10 staff losing their jobs.
“This is not a good day for us. Having said that, in a strange way, after years with this international alignment looming over us, it’s a relief. We now have the certainty to chart our future,” Pearson told Fastline.
Draft will continue working with Vodafone on its DM business. And the pitch is expected to be completed by the end April 2007.
“Our agency requirements have moved considerably since the last time we reviewed our relationship with Lowe some two years ago. With the change in focus this year for our brand and stronger focus on retail, we felt we needed a fresh perspective,” said Craig Herbison, Vodafone gernal manager of brand and communications.
“Lowe is an exceptional brand agency who has played a significant part in building the Vodafone brand to where it is today. We have had a very productive and good relationship.”
He added: “This is not purely a creative pitch – it is as much to determine whether the agencies are capable of working with and meeting the needs of a brand like Vodafone as we evolve our business moving forward.”
