Telstra dumps Ogilvy from agency roster

Sydney: Sources close to Telstra say the Australian telco giant has dumped Ogilvy, Sydney from its above-the-line agency roster after an almost two-decade association, starting in the days of John Singleton Advertising, which eventually morphed into SO&M, and now Ogilvy.

One source told CB that Telstra’s lead agency DDB looks like taking more of the business, along with other roster shops Droga5 and The Monkeys.

However, Ogilvy has confirmed it has been invited to re-pitch for the telco’s CRM contract, which it currently holds, which is now in review. An Ogilvy spokesperson emailed CB: “Ogilvy has not been fired by Telstra. The bulk of Ogilvy’s Telstra’s business is relationship management. Telstra is holding an internal review relating to this piece of business. Ogilvy has been invited to recontest the business, and is very much looking forward to taking part.”

The ousting of Ogilvy comes nine months after the appointment of  chief marketing officer Mark Buckman (left) in December last year and almost a year after the appointment of Tom Moult to the executive chairman role at Ogilvy Group.