Nokia Corp., the world’s leading handset maker but a laggard in the U.S. market, has begun a search for a new global advertising agency.
Nokia’s current agencies were invited to the pitch, with a decision expected by mid-2007.
“Nokia aims to become the most loved and admired, iconic brand by people around the world,” a Nokia spokesman wrote in an e-mail. The e-mail went on to say that the marketer is conducting a “full creative agency review to ensure that [Nokia] is working with the most suitable agencies.”
Nokia’s current agencies were invited to the pitch, with a decision expected by mid-2007.
The incumbents include WPP Group’s Grey worldwide, the marketer’s agency in the United States, Europe and parts of the Middle East, and corporate sibling Bates in Asia. Other roster shops include Interpublic Group of Cos.’ Lowe and independent Wieden & Kennedy.
Nokia spent $30 million in measured media for the first nine months of 2006 and $63 million for calendar year 2005, according to TNS Media Intelligence.
Alice Z. Cuneo and Brooke Capps are reporters with AdAge, a sister publication of RCR Wireless News. Both publications are owned by Crain Communications Inc.
