According to the latest analysis by RECMA, UM Canada has been among the world’s most competitive agencies to face in a pitch, with Initiative among the top-performing networks globally.

The research firm complied a list of only 16 agencies – out of the 719 RECMA evaluated – whose “Compitches” scores over the last three years totaled between 13 and 15 points, with the possibility of earning a maximum of five points each year. The scores were determined on a number of factors, including size of the accounts it pitched on, other contenders on the pitch, who the incumbent was, the nature of the assignment and to what degree local agencies were involved in regional or global pitches.

UM Canada was among a group of nine agencies that received 13 points in RECMA’s assessment, having received four points in the last two years after earning five in 2018. Some of the key business UM Canada picked up over the period RECMA examined includes SkipTheDishes, Ulta Beauty, Voila by Sobeys and Giant Tiger.

Looking network-wide, Initiative’s offices combined for 474 points, ahead of OMD with with 450. They were followed by Havas Media, PHD, Carat and Wavemaker in a tight grouping, separated by only 10 points.

The list was topped by OMD Russsia, Media Investment Romania and Wavemaker China, all of which received the maximum 15 points over the last three years.

UM Canada was also one of four Mediabrands agencies on the list, joining its sister office in Peru, as well as Initiative’s offices in Romania and Australia. Four of Omnicom’s OMD agencies appeared in the top 16.