Hyundai calls 10m pitch for pan-European launch

HyundaiHyundai Motor Europe has called a pitch for the pan-European launch of its i10 model. It is thought the business is worth up to £10m.

The company has shortlisted German incumbent WOB, its Spanish agency Revolution and non-roster shop Mother to pitch for the brief. The UK incumbent Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest is not involved in the pitch.

The i10, the Korean answer to the Mini, goes on sale in March next year. It is understood the three agencies are pitching for the launch in Frankfurt this week.

Hyundai began asking incumbent agencies to pitch for pan-European advertising projects at the start of this year, but it is thought this is the first time a non-roster agency has participated.

The Korean marque hired WOB to handle the £10m launch of its i30 model in April following a pitch that included VCCP and was handled by Hyundai’s in-house agency Innocean.

Hyundai’s sister marque Kia called a similar pitch last year for the pan-European launch of its Sedona model. The brief was won by Greek agency Breakfast following a pitch against FCB Netherlands and UK incumbent Mustoes (MW April 13, 2006).

Hyundai Motor Europe appointed former Volkswagen and BMW marketer Allan Rushforth as vice-president of sales and marketing in September. He is tasked with improving Hyundai’s brand image and market share.

Mother declined to comment on the i10 pitch, while Hyundai had not returned calls as Marketing Week went to press.