Westpac has put its creative account up for review after 12 years with DDB. While the process is only in its early stages, Mi3 understands that Omnicom creative agency will be contesting the account.

The bank confirmed the pitch to Mi3 but declined to comment further. Industry speculation suggests Accenture Song's The Monkeys as well as Publicis Groupe are also on the pitch list, though both agencies declined to comment.

Publicis Groupe already has a relationship with the bank via its circa $65 million media account, including, Westpac, RAMS, ST George Bank, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA, which Spark Foundry has held since 2020. Meanwhile, the French holdco services Westpac through a power of one solution in New Zealand, with Saatchi & Saatchi leading creative. The latter is also the creative incumbent on Westpac subsidiary St George, which was at one point under review last year, though the pitch was later put on hold.

Westpac is the second of the big four banks to call a pitch in recent months, following ANZ's RFP in May. Leo Burnett, dentsu, The Monkeys and BMF are all on the shortlist, according to reports.

DDB first picked up Westpac's creative account in 2012, following a two-way pitch with Ogilvy. Big Red Melbourne had held the account previously.

Annabel Fribence has been the bank's Chief Brand & Marketing Officer since 2021.