LOCAL advertising agency 303 has been targeted by an Australasian super-agency pro-posal led by Sydney-based industry heavyweight Michael Ball.
Managing director of 303 Stephen Wells said 303 had received a proposal which they were looking at.
“There’s no commitment at the moment,” Mr Wells said.
“We’ve always been interested that the culture and autonomy of our business is maintained, and until this moment this has been best done by us, but we’ll always look at a proposal.”
The revelation follows reports in Business News late last year that Mr Ball had approached a number of independent agencies in Perth to join his consortium proposal.
The super agency or holding company is rumoured to give each business involved a shareholding following a float in March this year.
Last week, it was reported that Mr Ball could raise as much as $75 million when the company, code named “Rugby”, was listed.
Mr Ball founded Sydney advertising agency the Ball Partnership, now known as Euro RSCG.
No details of the exact structure of the consortium have been released by Mr Ball, who was unwilling to discuss any details of the proposed structure.
Adelaide’s Killey Withy Punshon are also rumoured to be involved, but they would not comment.
Joint creative director Lyn Punshon, from Killey Withy Punshon, was also reluctant to comment.
“At the moment it’s just speculation,” Mr Punshon said.
KWP clients include Adelaide Bank, Coopers Brewery and the TAB.
“If this deal presented new business opportunities in WA related to the group it could be attractive to WA advertising agencies, but history shows the flow is from west to east with advertising,” said an industry source.
303 has estimated billings of $23 million. Its client list includes BankWest, Channel Seven, HBF and the WA Tourism Commission.
