Mitsubishi Motors and Havas Worldwide part ways

The agency won the automotive business in May 2011, following a multi-agency pitch.

Mitsubishi Motors and Havas Worldwide have parted ways; the agency will no longer manage the creative mandate for the automotive manufacturer.

It is learnt that Mitsubishi Motors does not have a creative agency on board right now. However, it may start looking for one by April, 2013. The ads will henceforth be created in-house or will be an extension of the campaigns created in the manufacturer's mother country, Japan.

Yoshiaki Wada, head, marketing and channel development, Hindustan Motors confirmed this news to afaqs! but did not disclose the reason for separation.

It is also known that Mitsubishi Motors is currently working with Bengaluru-based digital and social media solutions agency Autum Worldwide for its online requirements.

It may be recalled that in May 2011, Euro RSCG Worldwide (as Havas Worldwide was known then) won the entire portfolio of Mitsubishi in India following a multi-agency pitch. At that point, Contract Advertising was the incumbent agency on the creative business. Also, when Euro RSCG won the business, it was stipulated to be in the range of Rs 300-350 million.

Mitsubishi's car brands include Lancer, Montero, Outlander, Pajero and Cedia.

It may be noted that Mitsubishi cars are manufactured in India on a contract basis by Hindustan Motors Limited (HML). HML is India's pioneering automobile manufacturing company and the flagship company of the C K Birla Group.