Benjamin Li
Jun 3, 2010

Anheuser-Busch InBev calls a media agency review in China

SHANGHAI - Global brewery Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is calling a pitch to review its agency as a part of an ongoing process to consolidate its media buying in China.

AB InBev
AB InBev
ZenithOptimedia Shanghai has worked with the brewery as its media agency partner in China for the past two years. The agency won the Budweiser account around the same time and was reappointed to the account after InBev acquired AB for US$52 billion in 2008.

According to an industry source the client currently buys 50 per cent of its media through Zenith and 50 per cent through various brokers. AB InBev is looking to consolidate its media buying into an international media agency.

According to information from AB InBev China's website (last updated March 2009), CR Snow/SAB Miller is the top brewer in the China with a market share of 18 per cent. AB InBev's market share is calculated at 15.4 per cent in representing global brands Budweiser and Beck's along with key local brands like Harbin, Sedrin and Red Rock among others.

“China's beer market is dominated by top local brands like the number one selling brand Snow Beer, follow by Tsingtao and Yanjing Beer. Even westerners in China prefer drinking local beers,” another source added.

According to the Wall Street Journal, AB InBev sold its remaining 7.01 per cent stake in Tsingtao Brewery for US$235 million to Chinese tycoon Chen Fashu in May last year. The deal came after AB InBev initially sold 19.9 per cent of its 27 per cent stake as a minority shareholder in Tsingtao Brewery to Japan's Asahi Breweries for US$667 million.

In a seperate development, AB InBev's Harbin, the official beer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, launched a digital campaign across major Chinese portals in December last year.
Source:
Campaign China

Related Articles

Just Published

15 hours ago

The madness of US election advertising, where it's ...

The shift from a “craft” approach to a “factory” approach in political advertising is now complete, with ad-makers throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, says Éric Blais in his latest Free to Disagree column

18 hours ago

Amazon ad revenue growth outpaced retail sales in Q3

CEO Andy Jassy noted sponsored product offering saw “meaningful” growth in the quarter due to increased ad relevance and optimization.

2 days ago

Indonesia bans iPhone 16 sales over lack of local ...

Marketing and sale of Apple's latest phones have been blocked in Indonesia after the tech giant failed to comply with regulations requiring 40% of smartphones to be made from local parts.

2 days ago

Is Publicis’ dismissal of staff for return-to-office...

Adland weighs in on where the flexible working debate is heading.