Omnicom Media Group’s OMD has scooped Uber’s international media account, it has been revealed, and will be handling the taxi app’s planning and buying in several key markets.
OMD is now responsible for Uber’s media in the UK, France, Russia, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda and Pakistan.
In the case of the UK, the account – previously held by Havas Group’s Arena Media – will be managed by MG OMD.
Uber has not responded to requests for comment at the time of publishing.
Earlier this month, Uber’s chief executive and co-founder Travis Kalanick decided to leave President Donald Trump’s advisory council following the introduction of the ‘travel ban’, preventing citizens of seven mostly-Muslim countries from entering the US.
It came after a social media campaign used the hashtag #DeleteUber to encourage protestors to abandon Uber for rival apps.
In a blog post written before his decision to leave the council, entitled ‘Standing up for what’s right’, Kalanick said: “While every government has their own immigration controls, allowing people from all around the world to come here and make America their home has largely been the US’s policy since its founding. That means this ban will impact many innocent people.
“Whatever your view please know that I’ve always believed in principled confrontation and just change; and have never shied away (maybe to my detriment) from fighting for what’s right.”
Separately, speaking at Mindshare’s Huddle for Good event in London last year, Uber public policy senior analyst Guy Levin discussed the app’s aim to cut congestion and pollution by putting more people into fewer cars.
“We need to get people used to the idea of leaving their car at home and starting car-sharing journeys,” he continued, reinforcing the importance of choice over coercion. “We need to get much better at telling this story and that’s exactly why I’m here today.”