MediaCom, Dentsu scoop China Unicom's iPhone launch media account

The second round of the pitch took place in Beijing three weeks ago. VisionCN is believed to have taken part as well. 

MediaCom will handle the media planning and buying for the outdoor and digital side of the account, and Dentsu will handle TV and print, according to sources close to the pitch. It is believed that TBWA's Media Arts Lab, along with OMD, will also be involved in the campaign as Apple's agencies.

Media Arts Lab is handling creative for the launch.

China Unicom’s iPhone business is separate from its main account.

Dentsu is the incumbent agency for the brand. Raynet Ogilvy is the lead creative agency for China Unicom.

China Unicom will start selling the iPhone in China this month.

3G services are proving to be one of China’s biggest marketing battlegrounds this year. In the 2G market, China Unicom is the smallest of the big three operators with about 10 per cent marketshare, behind China Telecom (15 per cent) and China Mobile (75 per cent).