Other media agencies on the list include Havas-owned Media Planning Group, Omnicom agency Manning Gottlieb OMD, Aegis agency Vizeum and Interpublic shop Universal McCann.
The decision by Waitrose to approach a WPP-owned agency is understood to have taken place after sister WPP agency Mediaedge:cia turned down the opportunity to pitch for the account because of client conflict issues with its £28m media account for supermarket chain Morrison's, which is held by Mediaedge:cia Manchester.
Waitrose called the review in March, pitching its media planning and buying out of incumbent Interpublic agency Brand Connection, which is currently in the process of being folded into sister agency Initiative along with Brand Connection clients including Bendicks of Mayfair, Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Jim Henson Company.
Brand Connection had been hit by the loss of the £64m Norwich Union account to OMD UK last December as part of the consolidation of the £75m Aviva brief. The agency had held the Norwich Union business for 21 years.
MindShare refused to comment on its inclusion on the Waitrose pitch list and Waitrose did not return calls.
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