Key facts

• Tourism Australia has appointed DDB Worldwide as its new global creative services agency for the next three years.
• DDB Worldwide was chosen following an intensive and highly competitive selection process involving many of the world’s best creative agencies.

Key quotes

• "In appointing DDB Worldwide we have chosen an agency partner that not only provides the requisite international network and infrastructure credentials, but is also, most importantly, at the top of the creative game globally," Rick Allert, AO, Chairman.

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Tourism Australia has announced the selection of DDB Worldwide as its new global creative services agency for the next three years. Tourism Australia Chairman, Rick Allert AO, said DDB Worldwide was chosen following an intensive and highly competitive selection process involving many of the world’s best creative agencies.

“In appointing DDB Worldwide we have chosen an agency partner that not only provides the requisite international network and infrastructure credentials, but is also, most importantly, at the top of the creative game globally,” Mr Allert said.

Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, Geoff Buckley, thanked all of the agencies who participated in the tender process for their time, effort and commitment. “In particular, I would like to thank the other short listed agency Saatchi & Saatchi for participating in this exhaustive selection process. We congratulate them on reaching the final shortlist of a very competitive tender.”

Mr Buckley said that Tourism Australia’s focus in the coming months is on maximising the global marketing and promotional opportunities presented by the Baz Luhrmann movie Australia due for release in November 2008.

“DDB Worldwide will be assisting Tourism Australia to maximise our promotional opportunities around the movie which offers huge potential to put Australia in the spotlight globally and ignite the Australia brand to motivate people who will see the movie to then see the country,” Mr Buckley said.

The appointment of DDB Worldwide completes a global tender process that commenced in February 2008. The final two short-listed agencies – DDB Worldwide and Saatchi & Saatchi – participated in extensive in-market reviews. The process concluded with final presentations in Sydney at the end of May. The selection of DDB Worldwide was unanimously approved by the Tourism Australia evaluation committee and endorsed by the Tourism Australia Board. The tender process was conducted in accordance with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and was overseen by the Australian Government solicitor as Probity Advisor, and KPMG as Probity Auditor.

Tourism Australia is currently finalising the selection of an agency to provide media buying and planning services.

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