9am. EXCLUSIVE: M&C Saatchi has emerged as the favourite on the Optus creative account, after a lengthy pitch process.
AdNews understands an official announcement could be made today.
The news follows a drawn out pitch which ended with a final two-way shootout between incumbent M&C Saatchi and George Patterson Y&R.
The decision comes amid a major internal restructure at Optus, with numerous redundancies expected in the marketing department. The restructure has seen managing director of the Optus Consumer division Michael Smith become managing director of the newly created Marketing arm.
Smith could not be contacted this morning, and an Optus spokeswoman said she would not comment until an official announcement is released. But industry sources said final conversations with the two contenders are being held today. Optus is expected to inform both agencies that M&C Saatchi will retain the business.
On the media front, it is unclear whether final contracts have been signed between Optus and Starcom for the $70 million-plus account, however Starcom's appointment will proceed.
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