Less than six months after forming United Continental Holdings, the airline giant is searching for a new creative agency partner to market its newly merged offering to consumers, industry executives said…The agency search is being handled by New York-based consultancy Bajkowski + Partners. View on AdAge.com
As an agency search consultant, and someone who has also spent time on the client and agency sides, I insist on our clients being honest with incumbent agencies regarding the retention odds.
There are dozens of reasons an account goes into review, but in too many instances the review could have been avoided if the agency was smarter in the relationship-management area. For instance, agencies should always be re-pitching the business to avoid getting to a formal review stage.
And if there is a key client change, consider it an unofficial notice to re-pitch. Have a day or series of meetings to get the new person up to speed and, more importantly, learn about his/her views and goals. You’d be surprised at how many agencies don’t do this.
If you find your agency in the unfortunate situation of having to defend, put the ego aside and objectively determine why the account is in review, what your odds of retention are, and if this really is a marriage worth saving.
But also realize that corporate politics can be incomprehensible and beyond your control (as well as your key contact’s), and you may never really know the truth behind the review. As a few CMOs have said to me, the first bullet has the agency’s name on it.
NEW YORK – Celebrity Cruises has named PGR Media of Boston, Ma as its new media agency of record for its U.S. traditional and interactive media account, according to Laura Bajkowski of Bajkowski + Partners, the agency search consultant.
Celebrity and Azamara, units of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, offer comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America.
This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of South America and the Panama Canal, elite Asia, the most captivating Caribbean and enchanting Europe.
Headquartered in New York City, Bajkowski + Partners is a specialized consulting firm providing global and regional clients with marketing management and agency search consulting services that deliver customized solutions to today’s business challenges. Laura Bajkowski is managing principal of Bajkowski + Partners and can be reached at Laura@Bajkowski‐Partners.com or ++212.226.3919.
©2008 Bajkowski + Partners LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NEW YORK – Celebrity Cruises has named PUNCH! of Sykesville, Md as its new creative agency of record for its U.S. traditional creative account, according to Laura Bajkowski of Bajkowski + Partners LLC, the agency search consultant for Celebrity Cruises and its Azamara Cruises.
Element 79, Il, had previously served the account for several years and was not invited to pitch. Estimated at more than $18 million in combined media spend, the assignment includes all traditional creative and production for the Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises account.
According to Wayne Wielgus, who joined the cruise line as senior vice president of marketing earlier this year, “PUNCH! understands the various travel segments that are central to our brands, and combines branding, design and promotional elements that will engage and persuade today’s traveler.” He added, “PUNCH! will integrate well with the other agencies on our roster” which include Sapient,Fl and PGR Media, Ma.
The list of other agency participants was not disclosed.
Celebrity and Azamara, units of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, offer comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America.
This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of South America and the Panama Canal, elite Asia, the most captivating Caribbean and enchanting Europe.
Headquartered in New York City, Bajkowski + Partners is a specialized consulting firm providing global and regional clients with marketing management and agency search consulting services that deliver customized solutions to today’s business challenges. Laura Bajkowski is managing principal of Bajkowski + Partners and can be reached at Laura@Bajkowski‐Partners.com or ++212.226.3919.
©2008 Bajkowski + Partners LLC. All Rights Reserved.
