Italian restaurant chain Olive Garden has selected Havas Media Network for US media agency of record duties after a formal review.   

Olive Garden had previously worked with Publicis Media agency Starcom on the account. Starcom won the account back in 2010.  

Annual media spending wasn’t immediately available.   

Havas Media said it will oversee strategic communications planning and video media investment for the iconic brand.  The agency will begin a 45-day transition period and will manage Olive Garden’s Upfront investment this year.    

Jaime Bunker, senior vice president-marketing for Olive Garden, stated, “We were impressed with the level of innovation in their approaches to meaningfully connecting with our guests, and we’re thrilled to work with their team as we continue to showcase what makes our brand special – our never-ending, abundant, craveable Italian food.”