Tag: anz

Australia – Allied Global Marketing, America-based global full-service integrated marketing agency, has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia, to support its existing operations and expand its business in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

The Sydney opening emphasizes the importance of APAC to the agency’s global clients, and it will facilitate the development of new business in the market. With Allied Global Marketing now executing campaigns across six continents for many of the world’s major media companies, the new office will also provide the agency’s existing and future global clients with support across all time zones.

Following this endeavor, the agency has also appointed industry veteran Jamie Crick as its new managing director for the APAC team. Crick has previously worked as the head of distribution and analysis at the creative agency Emotive, where he created and delivered innovative and award-winning campaigns for brands such as telecom giant Optus, meal-kit provider HelloFresh, and Amazon’s online audiobook and podcast platform Audible, as well as Google, among others. He will report directly to Adam Cunningham, the chief global strategist of Allied Global Marketing.

Commenting on his appointment, Crick said that he is very excited to help brands in the region take full advantage of Allied’s uniquely focused smarts in achieving measurable business returns.

”The opportunity to partner with clients in verticals I’m so passionate about – and to drive genuine performance across the spectrum of their paid, owned, and earned activity, both strategically, creatively, and via media – is what jumped out to me about Allied,” said Crick.

Meanwhile, Cunningham shared that they are thrilled to welcome Crick to the team as he will be integral in leading the agency’s efforts in the APAC market, saying that Crick will bring strong leadership, a proven track record, and deep relationships, which will prove invaluable as they expand the business in the region. 

“Having him on the ground will provide existing clients with additional local resources and expertise while providing the agency with the opportunity to seek new business and partnerships,” added Cunningham.

Australia – TotallyAwesome, the largest kids-safe digital advertising, and content platform in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, has appointed James Sawyer, former managing partner of media agency Ikon Communications, as its new managing director for the platform’s Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) operations.

The digital platform is an advanced forum for kids, teens, co-viewing families, and brands to safely interact across thousands of apps, games, and websites, enabling a youth-safe ecosystem across APAC.

The appointment will see Sawyer leading TotallyAwesome ANZ’s media and content team, helping clients and media agencies connect with kids, teens, and their families through the platform. He brings with him 20 years of experience in Australian media.

Commenting on his appointment, Sawyer said that leading TotallyAwesome ANZ to its next phase is a career changer for him and that he’s looking forward to joining the business. 

He added, “As the industry moves away from cookie-based targeting TotallyAwesome is poised for growth through its visionary kid-safe technology and privacy-compliant digital ecosystem. This ensures a safe environment for young audiences to engage with branded content.”

Meanwhile, Will Anstee, the CEO of TotallyAwesome APAC, commented, “James is the ideal executive for this key role. He is a highly respected media leader with finely tuned analytical, performance leadership, and partnership skills. The business in ANZ and across APAC has enormous growth potential and James will play a vital role in helping us realize this potential.”

The platform has also announced other new hires, namely Amanda Abel, the new pediatric psychologist, and Alice Almeida, the new regional head of data, as well as Jo-Ann Yeoh, the new head of account and project management.

Australia – WorkSafe Victoria, Australia’s government agency that enforces health and safety in Victorian workplaces, has launched the ‘Culturally and Linguistically Diverse’ (CALD) campaign, in an aim to deliver safety messages to workers and employers for the celebration of Cultural Diversity Week.

The CALD campaign, which is done in partnership with communications agency Think HQ, was delivered in 19 different languages other than English to reach multicultural communities throughout Victoria.

The campaign was released on 21 March and was rolled out on  radio, online, and social, as well as OOH, with targeted outdoor creative matches to reflect the language most spoken in specific geographic locations. Furthermore, this is the first campaign implemented by Impulse Network, the creative arm of outdoor media company QMS Media. 

Think HQ was responsible for translating layouts and recordings into the different languages.  The agency also produced video case studies and animations in multiple languages, and in-language media releases, as well as managed the launch event with an online CALD panel for community leaders – business owners and workers from multicultural communities.

Julie Nielsen, the executive director of health and safety at Worksafe, believes the campaign will make a meaningful difference in ensuring employers and workers understand their health and safety rights no matter what their cultural background or language.

Meanwhile, Jen Sharpe, the founder and managing director of Think HQ, commented that it is a privilege for them to work with a client like WorkSafe on a campaign that recognizes the importance of reaching all Victorians.

“As an inclusive mainstream creative agency focused on social good, we are proud to have produced such an impactful piece of work that reaches many diverse audiences,” added Sharpe.

Australia – The Australian Professional Leagues (APL), a soccer league agency in Australia, has recently appointed three new senior executives to put in place the league’s commercial and marketing functions, which is part of APL’s growth strategy.

The new appointees are Ryan Sandilands, the first commercial director of APL; Rob Nolan, the new head of marketing and data operations function, and Stacey Knox, the new executive member of the marketing team.

Sandilands brings his 20 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry to the agency. He previously led commercial growth and strategic planning for companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Women’s Tennis Association, and City Football Group, as well as AEG. Sandilands will now be responsible for supercharging the commercial and operational capabilities of APL and club commercial teams.

Meanwhile, Nolan comes with 20 years of global marketing experience, working with companies such as Kayo Sports, News Corp, and iflix. He previously built data capability with data agency Digital Alchemy to fuel growth, done in collaboration with various telcos, such as Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, and O2. Nolan will now lead the marketing and data operations function of APL, and will attempt to engage football fans on a one-to-one basis. 

Along with Sandilands and Nolan, Knox also joins the APL marketing team. She will be responsible for transforming the agency’s operational capability to ready the execution of APL’s direct-to-consumer strategy. Knox brings with her over two decades of experience in global marketing organizations and agencies, previously working with Coca-Cola, News Limited, and Inchcape, as well as a coach and mentor to industry bodies and not-for-profit organizations.

According to Ant Hearne, the chief commercial officer of APL, “This team is here to innovate and supercharge the commercial and marketing capabilities of the APL, as we realize our reinvention as a leading football entertainment company. We’re seeing the most entertaining football on the pitch and it’s our job to take that directly to fans with a world-class fan experience and content offering.”

The agency has also announced other new hires, namely Danny Townsend, the new managing director, and Michael Tange, the new digital director, as well as Tracey Scott, the new deputy commissioner in the APL leadership group.

Sydney, Australia – Global communications and marketing agency WE Communications (WE) has appointed two key hires for its Digital and Experience Technology (DXT) team in Australia. 

The new appointees for the DXT team are Brian Keenan, the new head of strategy, and Mike Nikotin, the new art director. Both will report directly to Nichole Provatas, group head of the DXT team Australia.

The agency believes that the appointments will strengthen its integrated marketing services for clients, which include data-led creative, paid social, and performance marketing, as well as brand and content strategy, and influencer marketing, among others.

Keenan has previously worked as a senior vice president of planning and head of business intelligence for public relations firm Weber Shandwick. Throughout his career, Keenan has led campaigns for brands like ALDI, American Airlines, and IBM, as well as Mastercard. Keenan will now be responsible for analytics, content, and brand planning, as well as agency IP for WE’s DXT team in Australia, bringing with him his 10 years of experience in creative and client strategy.

Meanwhile, Nikotin has previously worked as an associate creative director for media company Enigma Communications. Nikotin brings with him 20 years of experience in the creative and art direction sectors, working with agencies such as WiTH Collective, The Works, Allianz, and American Express, as well as Toyota, and Virgin Mobile, among others. His appointment will see him moving WE’s Creative Studio to greater heights, made up of animators, designers, editors, and producers.

Commenting on the two new appointments, Provatas said that the addition of Keenan and Nikotin to the DXT team further expands the senior bench as the team continues to invest in the specialist craft and respond to the changing nature of the way people consume content following the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Dan Woods, managing director of WE Australia, also shared “It’s paramount for communicators to understand how the world’s rapid motions impact consumer behaviors and embrace new media for brand storytelling. Brian’s strategic insights combined with Mike’s creative capabilities will further enhance our counsel and available capabilities to clients as we collectively navigate today’s fast-changing reality.”

Australia – As plastic waste continues to damage the environment, global packaging company Amcor has decided to release soft plastic food wrapper made with recycled content, to be the first of its kind in Australia.

The initiative aims to keep waste out of landfills and meet consumer demands for more sustainable packaging. Amcor has collaborated with several companies such as Nestlé and Viva Energy Australia and also with similar environment advocate organizations like CurbCycle and REDcycle to leverage each of their expertise to create the prototype wrapper which is for Nestle’s KitKat. The project will be collecting and processing soft plastic waste, and turn it back into oil using advanced recycling technology. 

According to the packaging company, the prototype wrapper demonstrates the opportunity to close-the-loop on recycling soft plastics.

Simon Roy, the vice president, and general manager of Amcor Flexibles in Australia and New Zealand, said that this is an exciting time for Amcor, as this project is fully aligned with the commitment to ensure all packagings be designed to be recyclable or reusable by 2025. 

“Soft plastics create a strong consumer-friendly packaging solution with great barrier properties and are lightweight and cost-efficient. This collaboration shows how soft plastics can be part of the circular economy when stakeholders across the entire value chain work together and is a fantastic outcome for the environment and our communities,” said Roy.

Meanwhile, Sandra Martinez, CEO of Nestlé Australia, commented, “Between us, we have shown there’s a pathway to solve the soft plastics problem. Manufacturers like Nestlé will have a key role in driving demand for food-grade recycled soft plastic packaging and creating market conditions that will ensure all stakeholders throughout the value chain view soft plastics as a resource and not waste.”

Last year, Nestlé’s KitKat and RED Group have similarly teamed up to launch the recycling program ‘REDcycle’, in an aim to collect soft plastics, including KitKat wrappers, to be turned into new materials such as benches and fences. The campaign also saw KitKat transforming its logo, shaping its chocolate wafers to take the form of the recycle symbol.

Australia – Livewire, a new global company that focuses on game technology, entertainment, and marketing, has recently launched in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

Former dentsu international’s Regional Managing Director for ANZ Indy Khabra has joined forces with former Misfits Management Group’s (MMG) Chief Commercial Officer and gaming expert Brad Manuel to create Livewire, leveraging their global relationships and experiences, previously working with several companies such as Microsoft, Disney, American Express, L’Oreal, Universal Pictures, Epic Games, and Samsung, as well as a range of sporting organizations and bodies.

Livewire has two key focuses to position itself in the gametech, entertainment, and marketing ecosystem; firstly, on in-game and around game marketing, creating campaigns to add value to the gamers’ experience. This way, the brands will be able to reach consumers during their hobbies and passions, without changing the gaming experience, and secondly, programmatic marketing in gaming. 

Livewire will use gametech and audience data to help brands connect with consumers while they are leaning in and actively engaged in their passion points.

Khabra commented that globally, gaming offers a variety of brands access to over 2.6 billion consumers, saying that the majority of which are between 16 and 40 years old and beginning to build long-term awareness of, and relationships with brands and products.

“What makes these consumers interesting to brands is that they engage with traditional media and marketing at a much lower frequency than prior generations, earning the label of ‘cord cutters’ for their behavior of opting out of traditional marketing and using subscriptions to avoid advertising,” added Khabra.

Meanwhile, Manuel acknowledges that gaming is rapidly growing domestically and globally, saying that many brands are eager to talk to the next generation of consumers through the gaming ecosystem but require expert advice on how to build truly integrated gaming campaigns that deliver results.

“The global eSports and games streaming industry will be worth $US3.5 billion by 2025; rising from $US2.1 billion in 2021. Livewire sits on the cutting edge of GameTech and marketing to create a brand entry, evergreen solutions, and original content that is all based on deep data insights to engage consumers with brands,” said Manuel.

During the coming weeks, Livewire will announce a range of exclusive and shared IP that will be available across the global market, while building partnerships with brands and demonstrating the effectiveness of programmatic marketing in gaming.

Singapore – The digital disruption during the offset of the global pandemic has made businesses in the Asia Pacific prioritize investment in improving insight and analytics capabilities, a new report from computer software company Adobe shows.

The APAC-centric report shows around 49% of businesses willing to invest in insight and analytic solutions for their business to achieve their top marketing goals this year. In addition, one third (35%) of ANZ leaders believe their organization has strong capabilities in accuracy, actionability, speed, and access of insights, while Asian leaders are far more pessimistic at around 9%.

With that in mind, leaders in ANZ think their interest in investing to analytic support is a focus on personalized customer experience as 33% of respondents agree to this reasoning, while Asian leaders are committed to enabling digital customer acquisition (35%).

Duncan Egan, vice president of DX Marketing, APAC, and Japan at Adobe commented that organizations with better access to insights are more likely to say their customers are positive about their digital experience compared to their peers with lower levels of insight.

“For brands across every sector, 2020 brought a loss of predictability. Organizations of all kinds were driven online at an accelerated rate, creating a wave of new digital customers with increasing expectations. Customers now have the upper hand in the ‘digital relationship’, with more than half of marketing respondents across APAC reporting unusual changes in customer behaviors and journeys in 2020,” Egan said.

He added, “A company with a strong customer experience (CX) strategy is more likely to achieve long-term growth than its competitors, as they are better positioned to adapt to changeable customer behaviors and markets. This report highlights that organizations need to accelerate their insight and action capabilities by moving to more flexible technologies and cloud-based platforms, as well as a unified and real-time view of the customer journey.”

The report also showed that respondents who are confident about their company’s customer experience feel optimistic about their corporate strategy (63% in ANZ vs. 73% in India vs. 56% in Asia) and their own prospects for career growth (61% in ANZ vs. 70% in India vs. 57% in Asia). In addition, organizations across APAC report three significant barriers that are hampering marketing and experience: legacy technology and systems (51% in ANZ, 37% in India and Asia), workflow issues (38% in ANZ, 33% in India, and 48% in Asia), and a lack of digital skills and capabilities (34% in ANZ, 24% in India and 43% in Asia).

Egan explained that the manifested data has been a result of the current shift to remote work, which in turn has a significant and enduring impact on businesses moving forward, requiring new marketing strategies for reaching and keeping customers.

“Companies have never been more interested in being agile and adding new capabilities for seamless digital execution, with one third (34%) saying they’ve been unusually agile and able to make quick decisions,”said Egan. 

“A hybrid approach to technology – comprising cloud and other data management systems – allows organizations to be flexible and collaborative, letting them work better with existing solutions and quickly integrate new ones. The effects of such an approach within these organizations can be seen in the improved capability in key areas of analytics and insights, added Egan

Furthermore, the report also found that transparency is still lacking with only a small number of leaders (13% in ANZ and 12% in Asia) claiming their organization is effective at communicating how data is collected and used. Also, only 10% in ANZ and 13% in Asia believe they are highly effective at communicating the value offered in exchange for customers’ consent when they first encounter the brand.

Lastly, Adobe reported that most organizations are still a long way from authentically displaying digital empathy. Just over a third (37%) of Indian executives have significant insights into customer mindset, followed by 27% in ANZ and 19% in Asia. Drivers of purchase, friction points, and attribution of how marketing actions relate to customer behavior fare only marginally better.

Sydney, Australia – Mobile ad platform InMobi has joined independent organization Prebid.org as a technology partner member to share strategic counsel and engineering resources to key Prebid initiatives.

The mobile ad platform will join the Prebid working groups, namely Prebid Mobile, Prebid CTV-OTT Taskforce, Video Taskforce, and Identity, to ensure the Prebid community is well-prepared for the deprecation of mobile identifiers like Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA).

Prebid.org is an industry-wide initiative dedicated to promoting fair, transparent, and efficient solutions for programmatic advertising. It manages open source projects, such as Prebid.js, Prebid Mobile, and Prebid Native, among others. The organization is open to all companies who are part of the programmatic ecosystem, like publishers, buyers, exchanges, and technology providers

Tom Levesque, president of Prebid.org, commented that InMobi’s experience and influence in the mobile space will be invaluable to the Prebid.org community.

“We appreciate InMobi’s interest in Prebid.org’s mission and look forward to collaborating with them as the programmatic ecosystem evolves and matures,” said Levesque.

Meanwhile, the CEO of InMobi Abhay Singhal said that InMobi’s core values revolve around trust and transparency which is something they see in Prebid.org’s actions and they are eager to be part of.

“In just a few short years Prebid.org has built an open-source community that has added value for all sides of the digital advertising industry and improved the way we work with each other. We are excited to contribute knowledge and resources to ensure Prebid.org’s mobile initiatives are effective and widely embraced,” added Singhal.

Sydney, Australia – Global live streaming platform Bigo Live’s new live stream event aims to engage football fans in Australia, and it has partnered with Australian Football League (AFL) talents Xavier Duursma and Cameron Zurhaar to conduct a Q&A session with fans.

To be streamed live on 27 and 28 of February, the live stream session aims to encourage Aussie football fans to be active and healthy during the global pandemic by unfolding and connecting the communities over the shared love for football.

During the session, the AFL players will answer the top 10 frequently asked questions to them and will share football players’ stories and talk about their daily lives as professional players.

On 27 February, Cam Zurhaar, who plays for North Melbourne Football Club, will go live streaming first from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. AEDT. While on 28 February, Xavier Duursma, the wingman for Port Adelaide Football Club and 2019 rising star nominee, will go live from 8:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m AEDT.’

Bigo Live has been leveraging ANZ talents, such as Stan Walker, M4SONIC, Taylor Henderson, Dami Im, Erin Miranda, and many other artists, and is now looking forward to connecting to the rich sports culture in the region.