11362: Pizza Hut Pitch Prejudiced…?

Adweek reported Pizza Hut has narrowed its search for a new creative advertising agency to four competitors: mcgarrybowen, Mullen, Havas and The Martin Agency. Wow, “creative advertising agency” becomes an oxymoron of sorts when used in reference to that quartet of hackneyed firms. Then again, Pizza Hut is hardly a breakthrough brand these days. Yet it also begs the question as to why any minority shops weren’t considered in the pitch. After all, here’s what Pizza Hut claims on its website:

For us, diversity is a way of life and a way of doing business. Everyone can and does make a difference in our organization. One of our “How We Win Together” principles — Believe in all People — underscores the importance of actively seeking diversity in others; believing everyone has the potential to make a difference; and coaching and supporting every individual to grow to their full capacity. This adds perspective and depth to everything we do. We’ve also found that a diverse team makes for better problem solvers, services all our customers more effectively, and creates a richer culture for all of us to enjoy.

So why does such a forward-thinking and inclusive enterprise want to partner with White advertising agencies where exclusivity is a featured item on the menu? It’s time for Pizza Hut to deliver on its alleged commitment to diversity.

Pizza Hut Cuts to Final 4 in Creative Review

Presentations are scheduled for next month

By Andrew McMains

Four agencies remain standing after a cut in Pizza Hut’s creative review.

Sources identified the shops as mcgarrybowen, Mullen, Havas Worldwide and the incumbent, The Martin Agency. Final presentations are slated for next month.

The latest cut came after Pizza Hut executives met with a half-dozen agencies. The other shops were Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Saatchi & Saatchi, according to sources.

Pizza Hut, which spends about $245 million in media annually, launched its review in June. Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif. is managing the process.

Media planning and buying are not in play and remain at Publicis Groupe’s Optimedia. Martin has handled the creative account since late 2009, when the Interpublic Group shop replaced longtime lead agency BBDO.