NEW YORK — Text100 has ended its 12-year relationship as Lenovo's global corporate PR partner, after withdrawing from the technology giant's big-budget agency review. 

Text had previously handled global corporate duties along with the PC and data center business groups. The relationship stretches back to 2005, when Lenovo acquired the personal computing business of key Text client IBM.

The agency will continue to handle local market work for Lenovo. The current agency search, revealed by the Holmes Report last month, aims to consolidate global corporate PR and product PR for the company's various business groups, along with specific support for its North American business units. It also calls on agencies to meet specific diversity and inclusion criteria. 

“Text100 has been a trusted partner of Lenovo for more than a decade and will continue to be in key markets around the world. It has played an important role in shaping our communications strategy and narrative around the world," said Lenovo chief communications officer Torod Neptune in a statement released by Text.

"Text100 not only helped to tell the story of Lenovo’s transformation into a global leader, but it was also a key partner in enabling it. Both Text100 and Lenovo step forward into bright futures."

"Making this decision hasn’t been easy — who wants to walk away from an opportunity to continue working with an exciting global technology business like Lenovo?" added Text100 global CEO Aedhmar Hynes. "However, with 12 years under our belt — incredibly successful campaigns  delivered and lifelong relationships built — the time feels right for us to step aside and support Lenovo through its transition to a new agency partner. While we will no longer be pursuing the global brief, Text100 will continue to work with Lenovo in key markets."

The Holmes Report understands that Text100 made the decision and informed the relevant clients last week. Lenovo has since shortlisted a handful of agencies to take part in the next stage of the review, which involves an RFP response before presentations in New York. Contracts, worth as much as $6m in fees, are set to begin from December.

In addition to Text100, Lenovo's other incumbents include Weber Shandwick, which handles global smartphone duties, WE Communications in Asia-Pacific, and Zeno in Europe.