Monster.co.uk, the UK arm of the world's largest online careers
site, is set to hold a pitch for agency support to beef up its
operations in the UK.
An invitation to pitch has been circulated to a number of firms, as the
site seeks to raise its UK profile.
According to the brief, the firm is seeking assistance with consumer and
B2B communications.
The document says Monster is 'undecided' as to whether one agency should
be hired to span both sectors, or whether specialist firms should be
taken on for two separate accounts.
The company currently retains Weber Shandwick Worldwide (WSW) on a
global brief for Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Canada.
WSW (then Shandwick International) won the international account for the
brand in July 2000 (PRWeek, 4 August 2000), scooping fees believed to be
in the region of pounds 1.5m.
The Miller/Shandwick Technologies division handles the work, including
communications for the UK division.
The 12-month contract is up for renewal at the end of the month,
although Miller /Shandwick deputy MD Michelle McLaughlan said she was
unaware that any pitch was taking place.
The Monster network targets both employers and candidates. Those seeking
work are offered a variety of tools and advice to assist in their
search, including CV management and automatic checking of the latest
jobs against the individual's credentials.
Employers are able to advertise vacancies and have access to the
candidate database with the ability to screen stored CVs for suitable
candidates.
A spokesperson for Monster.co.uk refused to confirm or deny that a new
agency was being sought.
The request for proposals indicated that initial presentations would be
taking place in the coming week, with a shortlist and full pitch process
likely to follow in the month after that.
