Burnetts, Saatchis turn down SingTel, BBDO thrown back in the fray

Singapore - Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi "after careful deliberation" have dropped out of the SingTel creative pitch, causing the client to invite BBDO into the next phase of the process.

BBDO, which threw its hat into the ring at the beginning of the pitch but did not make it to the shortlist, now gets a second shot at the account, joining Bates and Ogilvy and Mather.

According to a press statement by SingTel, Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi informed SingTel they had decided not to continue with the pitch process.

SingTel's 19-year incumbent Y&R also declined to pitch for the account, as reported by Marketing on 19 October.

The pitch is expected to come to a close by the end of this year.