MORE BAD NEWS FOR 303 AS IKEA REVIEW ELEVEN YEAR AGENCY RELATIONSHIP
303 are facing another major account challenge with the news that IKEA, their most high profile creative account, is up for review. Despite knowing about this impending review for the past six months the news is bad timing for 303 – coming hot on the heels of today’s shock decision by HBF to part company with them at the end of the year.
IKEA has selected three agencies to take part in a credentials review and is looking to confirm an agency appointment to the IKEA business in West and South Australia by mid December.
IKEA’s Marketing Manager Benedicte Hansen said they have had a long association with 303 that spans eleven years and over that time they have never held a formal review.
“It has always been our intention to review our agency relationship following the launch of both our Adelaide and new Perth full-sized concept stores. Over the past eleven years both our business and 303’s business has undergone large growth and it is prudent that we ensure we are with the best agency to provide the strategic and branding input to take our business forward.”
IKEA in Western Australia and South Australia is an independent and WA owned franchise operation that also has the rights to expand into the New Zealand market. Recently IKEA has proved to be 303’s most creative account with award success at the Campaign Brief Awards and more recently the national AWARD Awards. IKEA was also Campaign Brief’s 2007 Advertiser of the Year.
It is believed that Marketforce and Meerkats will join 303 in the review. Hansen said she has opted for a credentials only review as IKEA is fully aware of the different creative capabilities of the three agencies on the shortlist and is interested to explore the branding and strategic offering of each agency.
21 Comments
Ouch, that’s gotta hurt. Poor 303, they’ve done nothing but stellar work for that account. I hope they keep it.
definitely gotta hurt. ikea is their showcase client.
Take that. And that.
Yep, that’s pretty crap, 303 have done a nice job creatively for IKEA.
But can they spend months creating a brand pyramid?
I don’t think creative is the problem at 303.
Yes 303 have done some nice stuff for them but when you compare it to the work that comes from other Ikea markets it’s not anywhere in the same league is it.
When did they last win an international Award for any of the local stuff?
Is that Al Taylor sitting on the bed just after he heard the HBF and Ikea news? Sorry matey. couldn’t resist 🙂
Is 303 concentrating too much on the Sydney market and dropping the ball in Perth? EPRA, Western Power, HBF, Ikea and rumours over ECU.
Got to be a monty for the Burswood account though.
Yeah, heads up 303. Burswood is a big chance.
great news for all except the incumbent! 303 so don’t deserve it though
9.58 you’re a nob
Shame. Tough break for 303. They have done nothing wrong on the account. So unfair.
Yeah, very unfair. What else can 303 do on the business!
Man, I cant believe all this “poor 303” sentiment. My comment yesterday never got published so I will try and be more politically correct here.
Yes, there has been some nice work done recently on the account. But, fucking hell, we are talking about the ONLY WORLDWIDE BRAND that any Perth agency gets a look at! There are obviously account service problems — has anyone else noted that this is not a creative review and the client uses the words “strategy” and “branding” twice in the press release above?
And what about this pearl — “poor 303” are very lucky to still have the account at all from what I heard. Get this — 303 earlier this year tried to pick up the Bedshed account despite it being a conflict with Ikea! True story. Wouldn’t want to be the suit that had to tell the creatives that they lost Ikea because they pitched for Bedshed!!!!!!!!
the bedshed story is true. someone at 303 told me about it months ago.
What? you are joking!
Thats the silliest thing I’ve heard for ages
1.40, if expecting world class work from any one fortunate enough to be working on a world class brand famous for their advertising makes me a knob, then please in future address me as Mr.Knobby Knobster from Knobsville, head Knob of the Knobsmen.
anyone noticed Nat Chalmers left town and her clients have all walked (or are about to)?
3.47PM. Outed: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=wqwDoMqyWxw
Over 24 hours and not one denial of the bedshed involvement from 303.
guys, what were you thinking?
ikea has been with you for a decade and you go talk to a competitor.
it’s not silly 12.20, it’s stupid.
no wonder the work on ikea has got better lately as they must have a hot rocket up their arse.
11.25 If 303 have got any sense they’ll leave the backbiting, speculation and rumour to the anonymouses like us that habitually inhabit these blogs. Apart from Brand Carlo and the occasional comment from “AT”, most people seem to treat the blog with the contempt it deserves. Now anyway, what that I heard down the Subi about Lotteries being unhappy?
Yes I agree 1.55 – or should I say 3.03.
Fuck, you make that comment and there I am looking for a brave name and who is it – “anonymous”. The problem is that your agency has been blogging away as much as the others. It seems the CB blog is only “contempt” when it is a bad story.
We all love Lindsay but account service, deadlines, costs etc are also important.