• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, December 19, 2011

Drug giant Novartis has awarded its $600 million plus media account to Publicis Groupe’s Starcom, after a review the client has confirmed.

The company began the search process a year ago when it began talking to search consultants and then kicked off the review formally in the early spring.

The incumbent was WPP’s MEC.  

In a statement, the client said: "Novartis has concluded its media agency review. After an extensive evaluation and careful consideration, we can confirm that Novartis has selected StarcomMediaVest Group (SMG) as our new global media agency. While we are not remaining with GroupM, we appreciate the relationship we have had with them over the past several years.”

It’s been an active year for big pharmaceutical reviews. Bayer, GSK and Pfizer also held reviews.