WPP has failed to fend off Publicis to retain the North America media brief as the pitch comes to a conclusion.

Publicis Groupe has taken a chunk of business from Coca-Cola, a major client of WPP. Various reports put the value of the win, the US and Canadian media buying, at more than $US700 million. Coca-Cola’s total global ad spend is more than $4 billion.

Publicis — which last year overtook WPP as the largest agency in the world based on revenues — has won Coke’s media business in the US and Canada following a competitive tender, according to three people familiar with the deal. Those close to the contract said that Coke spent close to $800mn every year in overall billings.

WPP is hoping to fend off Publicis to retain the brief as the pitch nears a conclusion. Win or lose, the spotlight will be on GroupM.

Cola's lucrative North American media account from WPP following a hush-hush competitive review, industry sources confirmed yesterday. The French advertising giant will now handle Coca-Cola's media planning and buying across the United States and Canada,

Cola's (NYSE:KO) North American media account to French rival Publicis (OTCQX:PUBGY) following a competitive tender, according to media reports from Friday. Coke reportedly spends close to $800M every year in overall billings,