Starcom MediaVest wins $16 million in Australia business with Novartis, True Value Solar

The agency won a global pitch for the pharmaceutical maker Novartis, beating out incumbent MEC after another competitor, Initiative, dropped out, according to a spokesperson.

As reported in Campaign Asia-Pacific's November Pitch List, the global account, won in December, is worth an estimated $600 million.

Down under, Starcom will manage the company's over-the-counter business and pharmaceutical activity starting 1 April. 

Starcom will take over the True Value Solar business from incumbent Ikon starting 1 March. The client claims more than 30,000 customers across Australia and employs more than 150 staff members and and 120 installation subcontractors.  

“It is great to see some wins on the board so early in the year," Chris Nolan, chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working on one of the world’s biggest pharmaceuticals in Novartis and Australia’s leading solar provider True Value Solar."