Malaysia Airlines reviews its account out of Bates

Malaysia Airlines has given Bates Worldwide notice on its international advertising account. Bates, which runs the business out of Malaysia, will have its contract terminated at the end of July.

Bates Worldwide board account director Patrick Hanson-Lowe says the review is part of a wide-reaching upheaval at the airline group which changed ownership last year.

Earlier this month UK marketing services officer Martin Taylor left the company.

“We are anticipating a full review, which will result in the appointment of an agency network to run the business out of the Far East,” says Hanson-Lowe. “But at the moment there is no reason why that shouldn’t be us.

“Malaysia certainly hasn’t said that we have been fired from the account,” he adds.

He estimates 60 per cent of the total account is generated in the East, but says the UK budget of £3m may be boosted as the airline increases flights out of London to 14 a week, from the current eight.