Agencies' chance to win Lotto

By IRENE CHAPPLE

In an early year surprise, the Lotteries Commission advertising account, held by Saatchi & Saatchi for 17 years, is up for grabs.

The account is understood to be worth more than $10 million a year in media buying and billings.

It includes high-profile brands such as Lotto and Instant Kiwi.

In an unusual move, the pitch was announced through a media release to the Business Herald yesterday.

The news piqued the interest of several Saatchi competitors.

Greg Eichmann, chief executive of strong retail agency FCB, said: "We would love to put our hat in the ring ... It is a great opportunity."

Others, including DDB and Whybin TBWA, are also keen to get the account.

But agencies will have to wait for a call from the commission - the pitch will be invitation only.

The commission has compiled a list of 10 agencies, which will be contacted over the next three weeks.

A decision is expected mid-year.

Commission chief executive Trevor Hall said he had shown his marketing team examples of advertising he admired.

One example was Air New Zealand's campaign, done by Auckland agency Colenso.

But Colenso will probably be out of the running because it holds the SkyCity account.

Saatchi has been invited to pitch.

The news serves up a hefty challenge for Saatchi's incoming chief executive, Andrew Stone.

Yesterday, Stone said he had expected the news, as Hall had conducted a major shakeup of the business since he started last February.