Westfield pitch hits sour note

By IRENE CHAPPLE

Auckland advertising agency Foote Cone & Belding has pulled out of the long-running Westfield pitch, citing dissatisfaction with the client.

Chief executive Greg Eichmann said FCB no longer wanted to deal with a client for which it had lost any respect.

FCB had spent $25,000 on the pitch that was made in March.

Eichmann said there had been no update from the shopping centre operator on the progress of the pitch, and FCB was unhappy with the treatment it had received.

"FCB will not be accepting the business even if we are offered it," he said. "It would not be a good fit for the agency."

Martin Grant, partner at Young & Rubicam, which also pitched for the account against incumbent Singleton Ogilvy and Mather, said he had presumed the pitch had simply shut down, as there had been no communication from the client.

"We're dismayed there has been no result - or even communication [from the client]," he said.

Others in the industry say the process has become a debacle.

However, Westfield's new national marketing manager, Linda Round, the replacement for Grace Tsang who oversaw the pitch, said a final decision simply had not been made yet.

She would not comment on the delay but said a decision would be made in the next four to six weeks.

She also refused to comment on FCB's withdrawal, saying the agency had not contacted her.

"When we have made a decision we will let you know."