Novartis plans media shake up

Novartis is planning a review of its estimated $600m global media business, according to reports in Campaign.

It follows similar reports made in January in Ad Week.

WPP Group's MEC is the current supplier on the global business, which covers about 60 countries.

In July 2008 Novartis consolidated its US media planning and buying into MEC after moving its business from its sister agency Mindshare in a global realignment.

The Switzerland-based firm declined to comment on the reports.