|
 Every now and then a story so big, so juicy and so, well, newsworthy comes along, that you really want to do it justice. This is one of those times. Alas, were well aware our little announcement story here is a little bit light on the amazing observations and insights it probably desrves. Although, after publishing the early 'light on fizz so you can slam it down fast' edition of this story overnight in an effort to share the good news as quickly as possible, we've now managed to add a few 'insider' details...
So for those of you who hadnt already heard the news - or the celebrations - and seen some very happy (and very pissed) KWP-ers around town late last week, yes indeedydo, KWP! managed to retain the SA Tourism account. Woo hoo! Yeah, its been bigger than big news that they were up against three other agencies, all of whom were from interstate. And its bigger than bigger than big news that theyve kept it. The interesting thing has been to see just how much conversation the whole darn thing has stimulated. Dare we say, even people who wouldnt usually be considered part of the KWP! Fanclub (and lets be honest, theres a fair few of those) had their fingers crossed theyd keep the account. As Pete Withy said "our spirits were really buoyed by the non-partisan wishes of all our agency colleagues". Just don't expect the love to last. From what we can gather, with the account now won, it's back to the business of hating them and trying to beat them at the next pitch as usual.
Of course, the side effect of all the fuss has been a lot of spirited conversations, and a fair amount of self reflection about what is and isnt cool, accepted, positive and negative about the whole idea of SA clients sending their business across the border. And whether or not we deserve it or not. Hopefully its also been enough of a slap in the face and a kick in the nuts that the rest of us will push even harder to do even better work and maybe even do a better job of promoting that work and the talent we have here in SA. But that of course remains to be seen as its way easier to piss and moan about stupid clients instead.
What we can tell you is, KWP! originally pitched at 7am and followed that up with a champagne brekkie back at the agency as they took the whole team through the pitch. Then it was "lunch, a party at The Apothocary and oblivion". And after hearing the good news last Thursday a champagne cork or twelve were popped followed by some more partying - the serious side of which saw a near-death experience for one agency noteable who apparently fell asleep in his soup. Then, following the official announcement on Friday, they may just have cracked a hundred or so more, starting at the Dog And Duck. We pushed for more info, but it seems details of what happened after that are a little sketchy at best for most involved.
The only part of the pitch we're aware of was those fictional characters Greg and Helen who supposedly came to Adelaide and had a blast. And we have to say, that seemed all a bit lame to us, but hey, what the hell would we know? Presumably there were much cooler and cleverer parts to their pitch. Either that, or the pitches cumminsnitro, Leos and M&C Saatchi (the other agencies rumoured to be involved) put up were absolute rubbish - which, given the calibre of those agencies and the account up for grabs, is doubtful. So we look forward to seeing some of the arse-saving work come through in the coming months.
Whatever the case, KWP! won and thats a big piece of business that stays here in SA, and were good with that. Pete was keen to offer "a public thank you to the Adelaide industry who really got behind us and made us feel like the State team playing a big game." We think we speak for pretty much the whole industry when we say a big fat congratulations to the whole crew over at KWP!. And something slightly less kind to those interstate agencies who tried to nick off with the account.
PREVIOUS STORY
|
;){kind=link}