Nokia long-lists six in £175m global creative review

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 26-Feb-07, 09:00

LONDON - Nokia has long-listed six semi-finalists in the estimated £175m-plus review of its global creative account.

In the hunt for the account are roster shops WPP Group's Grey Global, Omnicom Group's DDB Worldwide and the Asian incumbent BatesAsia, also a WPP shop.

The line-up also includes independents Mother and Wieden & Kennedy, WPP's JWT and Bartle Bogle Hegarty.

The agencies will be briefed at the end of this week in advance of work sessions and presentations likely to last three weeks. Once the process is complete, Nokia will cut to a shortlist of finalists.

Nokia's US and European business is handled by Grey, which has been on the roster since 1986. DDB handles the handset manufacturer's Latin American account.

At one stage, WPP's Bates, a roster shop in Asia, was to team up with Oglivy & Mather.

Nokia's media planning and buying business, handled by WPP's MediaCom, is unaffected by the creative review.

News of the review first emerged at the end of January.