Universal McCann scoops AIA's regional media account

A spokesperson at UM confirmed the news.

It is not clear which other agencies were involved, but sources suggest that a GroupM agency and an Aegis Media shop were among those that took part in the pitch.

In August 2009, Universal McCann was appointed AIA’s regional agency-of-record for corporate media communications after a pitch that also included GroupM and ZenithOptimedia.

In February 2009, Carat China was appointed AIA’s Chinese media agency.

Last week Britain's biggest insurer, Prudential Plc, announced it had agreed to buy AIA for US$35 billion. 

A source close to the pitch said the agency does not anticipate a strategy shift after the sale: “We’re planning for it to be business as usual across Asia.”

The London-based insurer will pay US$25 billion in cash and US$10.5 billion in stock and other securities for AIA Group Ltd. 

According to Bloomberg.com, Prudential is trying to boost sales in Asia as growth in the UK declines. AIA has more than 90 years in Asia, 20 million customers and more than $60 billion in assets across 13 markets spanning China to Australia.

The takeover will make Prudential the biggest foreign insurer in Asia, increasing the proportion of its profits generated in the region to between two thirds and three quarters, from about half currently, states an article on Reuters.com.

AIA has more than US$60 billion of assets with 20,000 employees across 13 Asian markets.