Carat scoops Aussie account

by MediaWeek, Media Week 19-Jul-05, 08:45

Carat International has picked up the £51m global account for Tourism Australia, following a five-month pitch involving 10 agencies.

The tourism board has previously used different agencies in
different territories, but has consolidated its business into Carat.
MediaCom is the incumbent in the UK.

The initial long-list of 10 agencies was narrowed down to three, with the Aegis-owned Carat emerging triumphant.

Carat

International chief executive Susannah Outfin said: "It's been a long
pitch, as it has been truly global with teams Down Under and Hong Kong
and all around the world."

Outfin said that Aegis' digital wing Isobar and research division Synovate had been key to winning the business.

The Carat boss said that winning government business like Tourism Australia has a lot of kudos. "There is a lot of prestige."

And after Carat picked up the UK account for COI TV earlier this year, Outfin added: "It's another big government win."

Carat Australia CEO Richard Halmarick led the pitch and Outfin said the win was "huge for our Australia team".