Sime Darby calls media pitch in Malaysia

Mindshare, Starcom, Zenith Media, Carat and Adrenaline are believed to be involved in the review.

The company’s media is currently split between several different agencies.

Leela Barrock, group communications director of Sime Darby, who took over the communications in February, confirmed the news of the pitch but refused to give details.

The media pitch has caused a lot of interest in Malaysia because of the high-profile nature of the client.

In June last year, Sime Darby consolidated its auto business in Singapore worth US$4 million with Mindshare Singapore. This included the media buying and placement of BMW, Ford, Peugeot and Land Rover Singapore distributors.

In February Sime Darby Property, a subsidiary of the group handed the creative for some new projects to McCann and Dentsu.

The group is in the process of making changes within its marketing and communications functions. In February this year it moved its communications, handled by Fox Communication, in-house.

Sime Darby is involved in five core sectors: plantations, property, industrial, motors and energy/utilities, with a growing presence in healthcare. It is also listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia Securities.