The DFS shortlist is out. Following an enthusiastic scramble, four agencies have been put through to pitch for the furniture retailer's mammoth £80 million advertising account. Karmarama, Krow, Ogilvy & Mather and VCCP will all pitch for the business in mid-October, and an appointment will be made by the end of that month. The process is being handled with the assistance of the AAR.
Confused.com's marketing director, Mike Hoban, has held meetings with agencies recently but insists he has no plans to make an appointment. Agencies will no doubt hope he changes his mind.
The Paddy Power pitch has attracted yet another late entry. While it seemed last week that the battle was down to two (Mother and CHI & Partners) after DDB UK was knocked out in an earlier round, it turns out Crispin Porter & Bogusky's London office is a sneaky late contender. With the shortlist now turning into a lengthier list, all bets are off as to which agency will emerge triumphant.
Agencies that submitted RFIs for the Carnival Cruises advertising account have their fingers crossed tightly, as a shortlist is due to be announced by the end of this week. The US-based cruise line is looking to boost its presence in the UK, much like its sister company P&O Cruises.
Media agencies are preparing final presentations for Bupa. MEC, Mindshare, PHD and the incumbent, Starcom MediaVest, face a busy weekend ahead of pitches next week.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office's $45 million global ad review also includes media buying.