Indosat launches creative and media review in Indonesia

According to sources, the pitch process this year has been rather low-key involving fewer agencies in the line-up and rounds of selection.

One source stated that what was previously a two to three month process involving close to 12 agencies and numerous rounds of short-listing, has now been diminished down to just four agencies, including Dentsu, JWT, Macs and Advantage, that may entail just one round of presentations and selection.

Incumbent DDB, which has held the creative and media account for the past eight years, has voluntarily opted out of the pitch process.

In a company statement, Maneha Widarso, director of operations at DDB Indonesia, said, "Over the past eight years, we have had the honour to partner with Indosat. While we do not take this decision lightly, we are confident in our business moving forward as we implement a bold new vision for our group for the next decade."

The media agencies reportedly involved in the pitch include Group M, Dentsu, MPG and Activate.

The combined pitch process is part of a standard biennial process that Indosat had intented to launch in August this year.