NBA Taps IPG's Mediahub For Media Planning, Buying Duties

The NBA "confirmed that it has tapped Interpublic Group of Cos.' Mediahub to handle its media planning and buying business following a review," according to Lindsay Rittenhouse of AD AGE. Mediahub takes the business from incumbent Spark Foundry, which "declined to participate in the review to defend it." In '15, the NBA "sent its media account to Publicis-owned Starcom Mediavest Group, which included agencies Spark Foundry and Starcom." Sources said that Mediahub "competed against finalist agencies including Horizon Media." On the creative side, the NBA "has worked with Steve Stoute's Translation" since December '14. However, it was reported Monday that the league "sent creative for its 2020-21 season" to L.A.-based agency Cartwright. The agency and the NBA's in-house team "were behind a recent campaign featuring actress Issa Rae, aimed at hyping up the league's restart to its season." A source "confirmed that lead creative responsibilities for the 2020-21 season went to Cartwright" (ADAGE.com, 11/3).