Free-pitching alive and well at Richard Rogers Partnership
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read that nearly 70 design houses had entered a free pitch to design a new website for Richard Rogers Partnership (News, DW 26 November).
This form of free pitch was described later in the article as a “competition” where entrants were “lured by the prospect of a £20 000 contract”.
I am astonished that so many consultancies, including several members of the Design Business Association among those named, are admitting to free-pitching.
I note that a second “prize” of £1000 and a third of £500 was offered.
Presumably, the other 60-plus pitchers were given a cup of tea and a biscuit for their efforts.
Can we now assume that the free pitch debate is over and it’s a free for all? Or will some members of our industry continue to pay lip service to the concept of the paid pitch, while undercutting their rivals by freely pitching-in wherever and whenever it suites them?
Leslie Millard
Managing director
The Design Distillery
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