05/11/2004 : Unilever has decided to award its account for planning and buying media across Europe to MindShare in most of those countries where it does not already hold the responsibility - subject to finalising the terms of the Agreement. In the majority of markets, this will be effective from 1 January 2005.
This decision follows an announcement in May to its agencies that Unilever intended to review its position and the agencies it employs to handle media buying across the continent.
Until now, both MindShare and Initiative have shared the €1 billion media account.
The review, which also features a pitch from Aegis, did not signal dissatisfaction or criticism of the agencies involved, but rather a further drive by Unilever to centrally co-ordinate and maintain its leading edge position in how it manages media.
Alan Rutherford, Unilever Global Media Director said, "We'd like to thank Initiative for its diligent performance during its tenure on the account. However, Unilever believes that it needs to streamline its external support structure and services in line with its drive for simplification."
The Netherlands :
Unilever NV
P.O. Box 760
3000 DK Rotterdam
www.unilever.nl
T: +31 (0) 10 217 4844
F: +31 (0) 10 217 4843
tanno.massar@unilever.com
minke.bijl@unilever.com
gerbert-van.genderen-stort@unilever.com
