Under the alliance, the three agencies will collaborate on projects and share resources where capabilities align, while retaining their individual ownership structures and brands.

The move strengthens 303 and Mediahub’s presence in Melbourne alongside their existing operations in Sydney and Perth, while giving Pembleton access to on-the-ground support beyond Victoria.

Anthony Gregorio, Executive Chairman at 303, said evolving client expectations and opportunities in the Melbourne market drove the partnership.

“In a world where the agency landscape is changing rapidly, clients increasingly want experienced senior people in multiple locations actively working on their business. This alliance allows senior talent from both organisations in several Australian markets to collaborate closely and deliver seamless outcomes for clients, while remaining agile and efficient.”

The alliance builds on longstanding relationships between the leadership teams. 

Pembleton Directors Alex Speakman, Simon Bagnasco and Mac Wright previously worked with Gregorio at Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, creating what the agencies described as a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

Matilda Hobba, Director and Managing Partner at Pembleton, said the arrangement enables the agency to broaden its reach without compromising its independent operating model.

“Pembleton’s model has always seen senior brains on the tools end-to-end, supported by bespoke specialist teams to execute the thinking. The alliance with 303 provides Pembleton with a greater pool of specialists to tap into on the projects that need it, along with the opportunity to support our friends at 303 where relevant.”

She added that remaining independent allows both agencies to continue structuring projects and client relationships in the way that delivers the strongest outcomes.

Gregorio said the agencies share an entrepreneurial culture that extends beyond the partnership’s commercial objectives.

According to Gregorio, the combined expertise will help both businesses pursue growth opportunities while expanding their integrated service offering across strategy, creative, media, digital, PR and retail activation.

The alliance follows 303’s return to independent ownership after dropping the MullenLowe branding in December 2025. 

At the time, the agency reaffirmed its integrated business model by bringing together its creative, media, strategy, digital, PR and retail activation capabilities alongside Mediahub.

Since the rebrand, 303 and Mediahub have secured new client wins including the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

The agencies were also recently appointed to the Western Australian Government’s Common Use Arrangement (CUA) panel for media strategy and buying.

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Cambridge returns to Initiative after serving as CEO of Omnicom Media Digital Australia and New Zealand, bringing more than 18 years of experience across agencies, publishers, technology platforms, and media businesses.

In his new role, Cambridge will lead Initiative’s strategic direction, focusing on deepening client partnerships, building on the agency’s momentum and helping brands unlock growth through culture, people, and technology.

The appointment comes as Initiative continues to evolve its proposition as a cultural experience agency, with an increased focus on delivering integrated solutions that connect brands more meaningfully with audiences.

Cambridge’s experience spans some of the industry’s largest organisations, including TikTok, where he served as Head of Agency for Australia and New Zealand, as well as senior leadership positions at Nine Entertainment and Initiative itself.

Kristiaan Kroon, CEO of Omnicom Media Australia, said Cambridge’s broad experience across the media ecosystem made him well suited to lead the agency’s next chapter.

“[Cambridge] is a people-first leader and already knows what makes Initiative special. He understands the culture, ambition and talent that sit at the heart of the agency, and he shares the values that have long differentiated Initiative in the market. We’re excited to welcome him back into the brand,” said Kroon. 

Commenting on his appointment, Cambridge said returning to Initiative was an opportunity to build on the agency’s strong foundations and continue delivering meaningful experiences that support client growth.

“The agency has always stood apart because of its people, its culture and its relentless focus on helping brands grow through experiences that matter. I’m excited to work alongside the talented Initiative team to build on the agency’s strong momentum, deepen our client partnerships and shape what’s next for the business,” shared Cambridge. 

Cambridge succeeds Jo McAlister, who recently departed the agency to join News Corp as general manager of StoryX.

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Effective immediately, Chadwick will continue in her existing role as General Manager of Marketing for Australia Retail while taking on enterprise-wide responsibility for ANZ’s marketing agenda. 

Her remit includes overseeing brand strategy and identity, improving marketing effectiveness, guiding marketing investment, and coordinating marketing activity across the group.

The appointment comes as ANZ continues to sharpen its customer-focused growth strategy by strengthening its marketing capabilities and ensuring greater consistency across its business.

Chadwick brings extensive experience across brand strategy, customer engagement and marketing transformation. In her expanded role, she will focus on building stronger marketing capabilities, improving how the organisation measures marketing impact and delivering greater value for both customers and the business.

Pedro Rodeia, Group Executive for Australia Retail at ANZ, said Chadwick’s leadership experience makes her well positioned to lead the bank’s next phase of marketing evolution.

“Sian is a highly respected marketing leader with deep expertise across brand, customer engagement and transformation. She is highly regarded for building capability, bringing teams together and delivering strong outcomes for customers and the business. We are delighted to appoint her as ANZ’s Chief Marketing Officer and look forward to her leadership as we continue to strengthen our marketing effectiveness and customer focus,” said Rodeia. 

Commenting on her appointment, Chadwick said she is looking forward to building on the work already established across the organisation while continuing to strengthen ANZ’s marketing capability.

“I’m excited to build on the strong foundations established by Astrud [Burgess] and the team, continuing to strengthen our marketing capability, enhance how we measure impact and ensure every marketing investment delivers value for our customers and the business. We have a strong brand, talented teams, and a clear opportunity to deepen customer relationships through our marketing,” shared Chadwick. 

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Effective immediately, Hudson will oversee Burson’s operations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as its specialist government relations firms, Hawker Britton and Barton Deakin. Based in Sydney, she will report to Burson APAC CEO HS Chung.

Hudson joins Burson from Johnson & Johnson as Director of Communications & Public Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, bringing over 20 years of diverse in-house and agency leadership experience across healthcare, technology, and corporate affairs.

Before Johnson & Johnson, Hudson spent 11 years at WE Communications, including serving as Executive Vice President for its International Health practice across APAC and EMEA. She also previously led the agency’s Australia and New Zealand business as CEO.

With the appointment, Burson aims to strengthen its position in Australia and New Zealand while helping clients navigate an increasingly complex communications landscape spanning consumer and brand communications, corporate affairs, advocacy, public policy, and government relations.

HS Chung, APAC CEO at Burson, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Gemma to lead our AUNZ business as we accelerate our growth ambitions and continue to expand our offering.”

“Gemma brings a valuable client-side perspective and deep sector experience which will bolster our healthcare practice and elevate the unique ‘culture to cabinet’ positioning in AUNZ – supporting clients across consumer and brand, advocacy and influence, corporate affairs and government relations,” added Chung. 

Commenting on her appointment, Hudson said she is looking forward to returning to agency life at a time when organisations face growing challenges around reputation, policy and culture. 

“Today’s geopolitical environment has made it more important than ever for organizations to navigate culture, reputation and policy. I’m delighted to be joining a business that brings together the capabilities to support clients across that full spectrum,” Hudson shared.

“AUNZ is a dynamic market full of opportunity, and I am looking forward to unlocking that potential with an exceptional team. Burson’s enviable data and tech stack will underpin everything we build in Australia, helping us deliver smarter, more impactful solutions for clients as they navigate an increasingly complex communications landscape,” she added.

Her appointment also reinforces Burson’s focus on investing in strategic growth markets and expanding its reputation-led communications services across the Asia-Pacific region.

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The new Instagram account, @sharpie_anz, will serve as a platform for locally relevant content, creator collaborations, and community storytelling, complementing Sharpie’s existing global social channels.

The appointment expands The Social CliQ’s three-year partnership with Sharpie owner Newell Brands. 

Under the remit, the Melbourne-based agency will oversee the brand’s Instagram strategy, always-on content, user-generated content, influencer marketing, and community management.

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The move comes as Sharpie increases its focus on local relevance across Australia and New Zealand. 

The dedicated account is intended to support regional retail moments, including the back-to-school season, while tapping into local cultural trends that are less suited to a global social strategy.

Sharpie said the channel will also support its ambition to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences by positioning the brand as a tool for creativity, self-expression, and everyday inspiration.

The launch precedes Sharpie’s upcoming national ‘Make It Sharpie’ campaign, which centres on encouraging bold creativity and celebrating the people and ideas that inspire self-expression.

Talia Datt, Founder and Managing Director of The Social CliQ, said, “Sharpie is one of the world’s most recognisable creative brands, but the opportunity in Australia and New Zealand is to make that legacy feel even more relevant, local and culturally connected.”

“Launching a dedicated Instagram presence allows us to create a platform that reflects the creativity, trends and communities shaping the region,” Datt added.

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Katie Parker, Marketing Manager at Newell Brands, said, “The launch of our Sharpie’s ANZ Instagram page marks an exciting milestone for the brand, providing a dedicated platform for us to engage with our community, showcase inspiring creative projects, and celebrate the people who use Sharpie to make their mark every day.”

“As Australia’s number one permanent marker brand, we’re excited to be working with The Social CliQ to bring local audiences inspiring content that celebrates the creators, stories and trends shaping our region. We look forward to building a vibrant community where people can discover inspiration, share their creativity, and make their mark with Sharpie,” Parker added.

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Under the partnership, Tonic Communications will support the charitable trust across strategic communications, media relations, content development, and integrated campaign activity. 

The agency will work alongside Housing Foundation’s marketing team to increase understanding of its shared ownership and rent-to-own programmes among key audiences.

Housing Foundation helps lower-income households transition from renting to home ownership through alternative ownership models.

Tonic Communications Managing Director Georgia Coleman said the agency will focus on helping the organisation communicate more effectively with customers, industry partners, advisers, and other stakeholders.

Coleman said Housing Foundation has an opportunity to further raise awareness of its model, adding that Tonic’s role is to sharpen the organisation’s profile and ensure its story is communicated consistently across multiple channels.

Meanwhile, Housing Foundation New Zealand CEO Dominic Foote said Tonic’s strategic approach and integrated communications capabilities made it the right partner for the organisation’s next phase of growth.

Foote added that building greater awareness and trust around alternative pathways to home ownership is becoming increasingly important as more New Zealanders explore different options for entering the property market.

The appointment expands Tonic Communications’ portfolio of purpose-led organisations across New Zealand and Australia and follows the agency’s continued growth over the past year.

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Running across JCDecaux’s premium digital screens in Sydney and Melbourne, the campaign aligns with this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly,” and gives Cooee Native Foods national visibility throughout the week.

The creative highlights the brand’s commitment to celebrating Country through native foods while supporting First Nations growers, producers, and communities, bringing Indigenous stories to millions of Australians through DOOH.

Alongside the campaign, Cooee founder and CEO Terri-Ann Daniel met with JCDecaux employees across Australia to discuss the cultural significance of native foods and the role Indigenous-owned businesses play in creating social, cultural, and economic opportunities.

“NAIDOC Week is a time to honour culture and recognise the knowledge that has sustained our communities for thousands of years,” Daniel said. 

“Native foods carry stories of Country, kinship and care for the land. Sharing these ingredients with more Australians helps grow understanding while creating opportunities for Indigenous enterprise to thrive.”

The campaign follows Cooee Native Foods’ recent acquisition of the 25-year-old Creative Native Foods brand, bringing it into Indigenous ownership for the first time.

Tess Phillips, Executive General Manager of Corporate Affairs and RAP Co-Chair at JCDecaux Australia, said the campaign demonstrates how out-of-home media can help amplify Indigenous voices.

“Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses is an essential part of strengthening cultural, social and economic outcomes. Cooee’s campaign gives their story national visibility and hearing directly from Terri-Ann helps our teams understand how Indigenous enterprise carries culture and community forward.”

The initiative also supports JCDecaux Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan and its Nurture for Country programme.

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The campaign is the latest phase of VACCHO’s Cancer Screening and Early Detection initiative, aiming to increase awareness of bowel cancer screening, promote early detection, and encourage regular health checks among Aboriginal communities.

Fronted by Ngarrindjeri comedian Kevin Kropinyeri, the campaign uses comedy to challenge the stigma and embarrassment often associated with bowel cancer screening. 

Drawing on the familiar feeling of relief after using the toilet, the creative reframes the free at-home screening test as something worth celebrating rather than avoiding.

Developed in close collaboration with Aboriginal community members, the campaign reflects Think HQ’s “with, not for” approach to behaviour change communications. 

The agency worked alongside Kropinyeri, Yorta Yorta Creative Collaborator Jason Tamiru, and community representatives throughout the creative process to ensure the campaign was culturally safe and authentic.

Targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 45 to 55, as well as those eligible for a 715 Health Check, the initiative aims to improve participation in bowel cancer screening while encouraging broader preventative health behaviours.

Sam McCarron, Creative Director at Think HQ, said humour provided an effective way to tackle a sensitive health issue.

“The creative opportunity to harness humour, breaking down the stigma around bowel cancer screening allowed us to deliver a vital message in an authentic way. This campaign is profoundly important for Victorian Aboriginal Communities, driving early detection.”

VACCHO Acting CEO Jim O’Shea said the campaign addresses common barriers that prevent people from participating in screening.

“While humour starts the conversation, the campaign is an important reminder that cancer screening helps you stay healthy, so you can keep doing what you love and be there for your family and Community.”

“The Biggest Relief” launched this week and will run across Aboriginal Health TV, NITV, and community radio station 3KND.

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The transformation was developed pro bono by branding agency FutureBrand Australia, covering the organisation’s brand strategy, identity, language, and digital experience. 

FutureBrand said the project represents more than AU$100,000 in pro bono investment as part of its ongoing support for the not-for-profit sector.

The new identity reflects the organisation’s evolving role as Australia’s independent national peak body for autism families, following nearly two decades of advocacy.

According to the organisation, the change comes as autism awareness has become mainstream, while families continue to face fragmented support systems and major reforms to the country’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

A 2025 national survey commissioned by the organisation found that families raising autistic children continue to face complex, slow, and difficult-to-navigate systems, leaving many parents financially and emotionally strained.

Nicole Rogerson, CEO and Founder of Autism Association of Australia, said the organisation needed more than a visual refresh.

“When we set out to change our name, we needed a partner who would not just design a new logo, but understood why the change mattered. FutureBrand pushed us past ‘awareness’ and helped us find language and an identity that matches the seriousness of the fight ahead for Australian families.”

FutureBrand Australia CEO Rich Curtis said the project aligned with the agency’s purpose of creating meaningful impact through brand transformation.

“As soon as I heard Nicole’s story, it stuck in my mind on two levels—one, her personal story as a family raising an autistic child, and two, her professional story as a leading voice in the autism community striving for comprehensive systemic change,” Curtis said.

“Amidst the complexity of that system, there is a pivotal opportunity for a bolder brand to make a meaningful difference—if awareness is no longer enough, what next?”

The rebrand is now live, with the organisation’s new website operating under autismaustralia.org.au, while existing Autism Awareness Australia web links automatically redirect to the new domain.

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Under the new partnership, Ogilvy Australia will deliver a full suite of brand services spanning strategy, creative, customer experience (CX), social media, and influencer marketing. 

The agency will also bring its expertise in multicultural marketing, health communications and behavioural science to support Lite n’ Easy’s evolving brand ambitions.

The appointment comes as Lite n’ Easy celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking a new chapter for one of Australia’s longest-standing health and wellbeing brands as it adapts to changing consumer expectations around nutrition, wellness, and weight management.

By combining integrated brand building with consumer engagement, influencer marketing and commerce capabilities, the partnership aims to strengthen Lite n’ Easy’s position in Australia’s increasingly competitive health and wellness market.

Nathan Hayman, CEO of Lite n’ Easy, said the company sought a partner that understood both the brand’s legacy and the rapidly evolving health landscape, while supporting its future growth ambitions.

“As we celebrate 40 years of helping Australians lead healthier lives, we were looking for a partner who understood both our heritage and the ever-changing health landscape. The integrated approach across brand building, consumer channels, influencer, commerce felt right for our future ambitions,” said Hayman. 

Meanwhile, Kirsty Muddle, CEO of Ogilvy Network ANZ, added that the agency’s health expertise and understanding of the broader wellness ecosystem position it well to help Lite n’ Easy navigate changing consumer behaviours and emerging healthcare channels.

“We’re excited to help it navigate this transformative moment. Our deep expertise in health gives us a strong understanding of the broader ecosystem surrounding weight management and healthy eating, from consumers through to healthcare professionals and emerging healthcare channels, and beyond,” shared Muddle. 

Australian-owned since 1986, Lite n’ Easy continues to support Australians in building healthier eating habits, with the new agency partnership reinforcing its commitment to delivering long-term brand growth and consumer relevance.

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