Reckitt Benckiser puts Durex creative duties up for pitch

Consumer health and hygiene products giant Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (RB) has called for a creative pitch for its condom brand Durex in India.

Havas Worldwide is the incumbent agency, having been on Reckitt's roster since 2014. Havas declined to comment when asked if they're participating in the ongoing pitch, but Campaign's sources have told us that the agency is partaking. Campaign India has also learned from sources close to the situation that the nation’s other big-ticket agencies (selective in number) are currently pitching. 

Campaign also understands that as part of the process, the invited agencies were issued a brief by the brand and asked to pitch offline, with the applicants asked to present their ideas in-person.

Durex collaborates with several global partners in both creative and media sectors. This includes ongoing partnerships with Havas and their Singapore-based creative agency BLKJ Havas, Durian in Hong Kong, and VaynerMedia. In 2023, Durex assigned the global media brief for Europe and the US to McCann and its affiliated agency, MRM.

Founded in 1929, Durex, known for its condoms and personal lubricants, is part of Reckitt Benckiser's portfolio—a British multinational headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. Durex's range of products were first rolled out in India in 1997.

Campaign India has reached out to Durex for comment.

More as the story develops.

This story has been updated to reflect Havas' participation in the pitch.