True icon: Australian media agency Ikon receives A+ rating for fourth year running; tops global list

Leading Australian media agency, Ikon Communications, has been awarded an A+ rating by global media agency tracking company RECMA for the fourth year running – the first and only media agency globally to achieve the highest accolade possible across so many consecutive years.

The ‘Compitches’ A+ rating, was provided by RECMA after an evaluation of Ikon’s new business performance throughout 2010. The research company examines a range of factors to determine the rating, including the number of key pitches undertaken, how many are won or lost, and how competitive the pitch process is.

Based on this criteria, Ikon is the only agency out of 505 studied in 35 countries, to have scored an A+ grade in ‘Compitches’ for the past four years (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007).

Dan Johns, managing partner, Ikon Sydney, explained that RECMA also only provide A+ grade ratings for agencies “demonstrating outstanding performances”. That may include not losing any ‘key’ pitches. ‘Key’ includes Australia’s top media spenders or international brands.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive the highest rating possible for the fourth year running, an achievement that the entire team has contributed to,” he said.

“What makes this rating particularly remarkable is that a local, independent Australian media agency tops the list globally in terms of media agency performance, demonstrating that we compete at the very highest level when compared to the best agencies globally.

“We can now say with certainty that no other media agency in Australia has a better record.”

Johns said new business won by Ikon during the audited period includes Diageo, Myer, BlueScope, Ateco, and Commonwealth Bank Group among others.

Other recent achievements include Ikon3 setting up in partnership with Droga5 in New York. The operation already has ten staff working with brands such as Prudential and Anheuser Bush with billings of US$70 million.

Ikon was named Australian Media Agency of the Year in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, AdNews Agency of the year in 2009, and B&T Employer of the year in 2010. Last week Ikon won a global award for best use of mobile media at the Festival of Media in Montreux, Switzerland.

Ikon is part of STW Group, Australia’s leading marketing content and communications services group.