AutoZone seems like one tough customer. As Adweek touched on last week, the auto parts chain wants to own ALL creative work presented in the pitch for its account and wants a no-compete for two years, even from the agencies that don’t win. The brand’s move has already prompted one notable shop, Arnold Boston, to drop out of the pitch weeks ago and now we’re hearing they’re being joined by others.
Sources familiar with the matter have let us know that McCann (who was still in as of early last week) and DDB Chicago have also bowed out thanks to AutoZone’s inflexibility. But of course, seeing as the account’s worth $70 million, we’re sure there are plenty of agencies still competing in spite of the brand’s lofty demands. In June of 2008, AutoZone named Sponge as its first-ever AOR.