After an extensive pitch process, Ernst & Young (EY) has signed with UM Netherlands, recently ranked the number one Dutch media agency. UM is now working on the media, content and implementation of a new corporate campaign for EY as well as expanding their online and social media footprint.

EY, a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services, employs over 175,000 people who are united by shared values and commitment to quality.  According to Yolanda Die, Brand Communications & Marketing Leader of EY, “UM’s perfect blend of strategy, creativity and hands-on mentality was a pleasant surprise.  There was also a sense of ease to our partnership – we clicked.  I firmly believe in working as partners. In addition to knowledge and skills, the feeling that you are working with a true partner is an important prerequisite for a lasting relationship.”

Rik Ruts, Managing Director of UM Netherlands said “We are very proud that we are able to work with EY in the Netherlands. For EY, we can leverage all of our capabilities for generating insights, developing creative media partnerships and ensuring the integration of paid, owned and earned media. In particular, within the overall marketing mix, we want to further develop EY’s role online and social media presence.”

EY joins a list of UM Netherlands clients including BMW, Capri-Sun, Ecco, ExxonMobile, Haribo, MasterCard, Pfizer and Social Enterprise.

To add to the excitement of the EY win, UM Netherlands was recently ranked the number one Dutch media agency by RECMA in their most recently published qualitative agency report.

This new Qualitative Evaluation reflects the impact of 2012 Overall Activity Billings (released in July 2013) as well as the impact of the first quarter moves and agency developments.

UM secured first place with a total of 19 points and a “Dominant” ranking. Sister agency Initiative landed in a three-way tie with MediaCom and MEC, each with 16 points and a ranking of “High Profile.”

15 media agencies were ranked in August of this year with scores ranging from +19 to -3 points; following a decreasing classification from “Dominant”, “High Profile”, “Good Profile” and “Average Profile”.

This qualitative evaluation has been processed in 49 countries and gathers up to 18 criteria in 4 categories:

  1. Competitiveness, mainly measured by pitches and results over the last three years.
  2. Momentum, measured by the activity growth, market share growth over 3 years, new business activity and changes to top management.
  3. Resources in Digital and Diversified Services (Outdoor, Branded Content, Entertainment, Sponsoring/Events, Multi-Cultural, Retail, Econometrics, etc.).
  4. Client Profile, number of big advertisers handled, number of local advertisers, share of the 1st client and the 3 biggest clients.

The RECMA qualitative evaluation is revised three to four times per year, keeping pace with the ebb and flow of the media landscape and business gains and losses of all Dutch media agencies. UM is proud to sit atop the list. Well done Netherlands.