Tourism Australia names nine

Australia - Tourism Australia has released a shortlist for its global creative and media business, with incumbent agencies M&C Saatchi and Carat making the cut.

Other creative agencies short listed are Clemenger BBDO, DDB Worldwide, Publicis Mojo, Saatchi & Saatchi, Singleton Ogilvy & Mather and Whybin TBWA\.

Carat and MPG, which in Australia is a joint venture with Mitchell Communication Group and Havas, will go head to head for the media business.

Geoff Buckley, managing director of Tourism Australia, said the next round of tender evaluations will take up to three months.

"Due to the number and high standard of short-listed submissions we anticipate that the next stage of the tender evaluations for creative services will take around three months, while the media services process should be completed within a shorter timeframe," Buckley said.

The existing contract with Carat and M&C Saatchi expires on 30 June. The pitch is being managed by consultants, The Agency Register.