Global US$300 million Nokia account plonked on JWT

Singapore - Nokia has consolidated its global network marketing business with JWT, effectively ending its 14-year relationship BatesAsia in this region.

According to an announcement yesterday, the decisions is "part of Nokia's marketing renewal that focuses on streamlining marketing planning and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of all marketing activities".

''Working together with JWT will help us to align our marketing efforts. With one global marketing network partner, we believe we will be better positioned to reach our goal of becoming the most loved and admired brand by people in the world," Pekka Rantala, senior vice president, Nokia said in the statement.

JWT will support the lead creative agencies in the implementation and localisation of global campaigns and support local marketing activities in over 80 markets worldwide. The account will transition in the last quarter of this year and be fully operational by 1 January 2008. 

A BatesAsia statement says the network is "naturally disappointed" at the decision but respects it.

"Nokia has been a highly valued client of ours over many years but it is important to provide some context going forward. A relatively small percentage of our revenue is impacted by this decision and we have already identified roles for the key team members within other parts of BatesAsia 141, along with other WPP companies.

"Our recent big wins in new business also mean that there are lots of exciting opportunities ahead of us. The door might be closed on this current chapter, but by no means are we locking it and we would love to pick up with Nokia again in the future should that opportunity arise," according to the statement.

BatesAsia Singapore CEO & regional director of SEA Peter Skalberg reiterated that it is business as usual for the agency and it will maintain a professional relationship moving forward with Nokia. He says BatesAsia's doors remain open as some pieces of Nokia's business such as Enterprise Solutions business are still up for grabs.

It is understood that Nokia also has divided its multimedia phones and Enterprise Solutions Group from the overall marketing pie.