Tag: Australia

Singapore – Global communications firm Edelman has announced a new lineup of digital hires as part of strengthening its digital offering in the Asia-Pacific region.This includes expanding the firm’s existing offerings in content creation and production, as well as adding talent in the areas of social commerce, paid and performance marketing, martech, AI, VR and 3D capabilities, among others. 

In South Asia, Saurabh Kulkarni has been appointed as the head of Edelman Studios in India, where he is tasked with building a regional hub for content creation. He will partner with India’s managing director for digital, Kunal Arora, on leveraging AI to create data-centric content production capabilities that will serve the region.

At Edelman China, in addition to Justin Teo joining the firm in August as the new chief digital officer, Yuliani Setiadi has come onboard as head of digital for Hong Kong and Taiwan. With Setiadi’s extensive experience in building shoppable e-commerce experiences across different touchpoints, she will aid in establishing Hong Kong as a B2C regional hub.

In Korea, the firm welcomed Rebekah Lee as its new head of digital earlier this year, bringing rich experience in data-driven performance marketing and web analytics that complements Edelman’s digital newsroom capability in the Korean market.

Jonathan Wong and Henry Taylor also joined the teams in Malaysia and Australia respectively this October to serve as head of digital in those markets. Wong brings extensive technical and automation experience, as well as a proven track record for e-commerce and digital transformation, while Taylor is skilled in content, SEO, newsroom and platform growth strategies, given his background as a data journalist.

To manage the growing team’s operations across the region, Debra Ng returned to Edelman this year to take on the role of regional digital operations manager. She is tasked with delivering digital upskilling and competency development programs for clients.

“Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen our clients take significant steps to accelerate their digital capabilities, knowledge and skills. With these hires, we are doubling down on specialisms across the region to match the evolving needs of our clients, helping them create more compelling content, facilitate digital transformation, and leverage the growth of e-commerce and digital storytelling,” comments Stephen Kehoe, Edelman’s CEO for APAC.

He added, “Each of these hires brings a deep specialism to the firm, allowing our clients to benefit from the industry’s most advanced and comprehensive practices, irrespective of which market they are in. By removing the silos of markets and specialisms, we are building a more client- and solution-centric operating model, setting ourselves and our clients up for success in a post-pandemic world.”

Sydney, Australia – Australia-based independent media agency, Nunn Media, has been appointed by global children’s entertainment company Spin Master for its portfolio of brands in Australia, including Bakugan, PAW Patrol, Hatchimals, Kinetic Sand, and Air Hogs.

The remit will be a multi-year engagement, and Nunn Media will be managing the integrated strategy, planning, and buying across all media channels for Spin Master Australia’s more than 25 brands. 

Spin Master is headquartered in Canada and has 28 offices around the world. Its entertainment properties are viewed in more than 190 countries and it distributes toys in more than 100 markets.

Geoff Oliver, marketing director of Spin Master ANZ, shared that they have ambitious plans to continue growing its business in Australia and creating exceptional play experiences for children. 

Oliver said, “The team from Nunn Media showed a strong understanding of the market and how to best engage with our target audience to help realize our plans. We look forward to partnering with them as we continue to delight Aussie kids.”

Meanwhile, Chris Walton, the agency’s managing director, jovially commented, “Spin Master creates and manages some of the world’s most popular children’s entertainment properties, I mean who doesn’t love Ryder, Chase, Everest, and Rocky from PAW Patrol??! Starting in November, we’ll work closely with the team to amplify all of the Spin Master portfolio in Australia.”

The appointment by Spin Master follows Nunn Media’s recent acquisition of Australia-based performance agency, Alley Group. The two will be forming an integrated business proposition leveraging Alley’s capabilities in search, social, programmatic, e-commerce, and digital creative. 

Sydney, Australia – United Nations Development Program (UNDP), top organization in helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic and human development, has appointed creative and CRM agency Wunderman Thompson Australia, to be its lead digital experience agency in its upcoming advocacy campaign.

The campaign, which is also in partnership with global creative company Activista and IT service management firm Mindpool, is deemed to be the largest climate advocacy campaign of this era and looks to launch the first phase in late October. It aims to engage millions of people in the drive towards an equitable and green recovery from the global pandemic.

Through the campaign, UNDP will be ensuring they collectively meet the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the world, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Boaz Paldi, United Nations Development Program’s global partnership and engagement manager, noted that creativity and technology are two of the necessary tools they need to achieve, which are the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the move towards green transition.

“It’s why Wunderman Thompson has been the perfect partner for us – an agency with passionate people with the right expertise to help us in our journey to make these goals reality,” said Paldi.

Lee Leggett, the chief executive officer at Wunderman Thompson Australia, commented, “This project is close to our hearts here at Wunderman Thompson. It’s why we’re all so incredibly proud to be part of it and work alongside the United Nations Development Program to create work that inspires change for a better world.”

Australia – Advertising agency TBWA\Sydney has announced the elevation of Katrina Alvarez-Jarratt, former creative director, to now assume the position of the team’s executive creative director (ECD).

Alvarez-Jarratt has been with TBWA\Sydney since 2016, working across accounts including Tourism New Zealand, Pepsi, and Woolmark, as well as Optus. Prior to joining the agency, she has worked as the associate creative director at TBWA\Australia, the senior art director at Clemenger BBDO, and the art director at Clemenger BBDO Wellington.

Following the elevation of Alvarez-Jarratt, TBWA\Sydney has appointed two creative directors, Bec Johnson-Pond and James Sexton. 

Commenting on her new role, Alvarez-Jarratt said she is beyond stoked and can’t wait to create a space where creative people thrive, feel inspired and make the best work of their careers.

“In my time at TBWA I have been very lucky to have been able to work with, learn from, and be supported by some of the best in the business. I hope that in this new role I can pass on some of that good stuff to those around me, ” said Alvarez-Jarratt. 

Evan Roberts, TBWA\Sydney’s chief creative officer, believes that Alvarez-Jarratt epitomizes everything they want the agency to be, and that she’s got a team-first mentality, describing her as open-minded, curious, and relentless in her pursuit of disruptive ideas. 

“Pair that with the fact that she has been around our best work, trickiest briefs, building our creative culture and you can see why she is so important to us. I’m thoroughly thrilled to make this appointment and recognize her ongoing contribution,” said Roberts.

Just recently, TBWA\Sydney has also announced two new leadership promotions, namely Nitsa Lotus, the new chief growth officer, and Tanya Vragalis, the new managing director.

Sydney, Australia – With the launch of its new season this year, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has appointed full-service independent agency Apparent as its media agency of record, where they will be managing all media strategy, planning, and buying for the Sydney Symphony. 

The agency appointment comes as Australian conductor Simone Young makes her debut as the Sydney Symphony’s new chief conductor and the launch of their 2022 Season. The Orchestra will also return to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall next year following the two-year historical upgrade.

Luke Nestorowicz, director of sales and marketing at the Sydney Symphony, said, “As for many, it has been a turbulent period for the cultural and entertainment sectors, but as we launch our 2022 Season and introduce our new chief conductor, we’re looking forward to welcoming back audiences and wanted a media agency partner that understands the need to remain responsive and adaptable.” 

He added, “Apparent showed just that, in addition to presenting innovative ways on how we can reconnect with our music lovers. We look forward to working closely with them to bring the Orchestra back bigger than ever next year.”

Meanwhile, John Halpin, head of strategy and media at Apparent, commented, “This is a critical time for the arts as they reboot in a post-lockdown environment. We’re excited to have been appointed to work with a world class organization of passionate and dedicated people to help them to return to the stage and ahead of its homecoming to the Sydney Opera House.”

Apparent’s current clients include Cricket Australia, Chartered Accountants, and Anglicare.

Sydney, Australia – Streamotion, the digital B2C streaming and technology firm, will be continuing its partnership with independent full-service agency, The Hallway, to develop the name and brand identity for Foxtel’s Group’s news streaming service, Flash.

Flash is a first-of-its-kind dedicated live news streaming service, featuring more than 20 local and global live news sources at launch, providing a convenient way for Australians to stay informed by bringing together a diverse range of local and global television news sources live and on-demand.

Through the extended partnership, The Hallway created the streaming service’s name and brand identity. It will also be managing the creative, media, channel planning, and brand identity development for BINGE, which launched in May last year and now has more than 730,000 paying subscribers.

Julian Ogrin, Streamotion’s CEO, stated that The Hallway has demonstrated its expertise in creating and growing consumer-facing technology brands. 

“We worked closely together on the launch of BINGE and are delighted to have teamed up with them again for Flash, the third streamlining service we have launched,” said Ogrin.

Meanwhile, Simon Lee, the partner and executive creative director at The Hallway, commented they are delighted that Ogrin and his team placed their trust in the agency to create the name and identity for the new service. 

“We are confident that together we’ve created another truly effective brand that will join BINGE in making a strong contribution to Foxtel Group’s bottom line,” said Lee.

Australia – Advertising agency TBWA\Sydney has announced two new leadership promotions, namely Nitsa Lotus, former managing director, to step into the newly created role of chief growth officer, and Tanya Vragalis, former general manager, to assume the role of managing director. 

Lotus has recently celebrated 15 years at the agency. Prior to joining TBWA\Sydney, she previously held roles at various creative agencies such as Whybin TBWA, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Lowe Lintas.

In her new role, Lotus will be leading growth initiatives and innovation across each of the agencies within the TBWA\Sydney Group – TBWA, Eleven, Fleishman Hillard, Fabric, and Bolt – as well as continuing to lead significant client relationships.

Meanwhile, Vragalis has been with the agency for four years. Prior to joining TBWA\Sydney, she previously worked as the group head at M&C Saatchi Australia, the group business director at Leo Burnett, and the senior communications manager at George Patterson Y&R.

As the new managing director, Vragalis will be overseeing significant clients Optus and Carlton United Breweries.

Commenting on her elevation, Lotus said, “It’s been a privilege to be part of this agency’s story for the last 15 years. I’m excited about the next chapter and am looking forward to helping drive growth and innovation across the group.”

Vragalis also commented that she feels incredibly honored to take this next step and lead a team of passionate and creative collaborators at TBWA\Sydney. 

“I look forward to continuing to inspire our people and partnering with our clients to disrupt this ‘new normal’ with different, elevated creative ideas,” she added.

Paul Bradbury, the CEO of TBWA\Australia and New Zealand CEO, noted that growth and momentum provide exciting new opportunities for the people. 

“Nitsa and Tanya thoroughly deserve these promotions. I would also like to congratulate Nitsa on her tenure at TBWA, quite an achievement in an industry of so much change,” said Bradbury.

Melbourne, Australia – MASH, an Australian-based creative agency, marks its expansion in Asia with the launch of their Asia hub, as well as winning the work mandates for global sporting event company IRONMAN Asia to develop creative for this year’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, as well as winning the mandate of luxury timepiece brand, Breitling Asia, both acquired without pitches.

MASH’s Asia hub will be led by Sarah Churchlow, MASH’s director of operations (pictured above), alongside MASH Asia Project Lead Rich Akers (pictured below), who until recently was based in China for 20 years. Together, they will manage its growing client base and spearhead new business on the ground in southeast Asia, traveling between key business centers.

According to Tash Menon, CEO and founder at MASH, since starting the business in 2018, interest has consistently come from clients across Asia seeking a non-traditional or alternative approach to solving problems and exploring creative ideas through a wider range of perspectives.

“We’ve delivered effective work for many brands in the region already and as demand continues to grow, the time is right for us to be on the ground and capitalize on this further. Sarah is perfectly placed to lead our Asia expansion along with Rich, who with 20 years of experience in the area has key experience and insights to share,” Menon said.

Building on the success of its initial work on the ‘Chosen Not Given’ campaign, Swiss watchmaker Breitling has engaged MASH once again for activation, and amplification for its women range in key markets of Thailand and Malaysia. 

Alvin Soon, president of Breitling Asia said, “Working with MASH and its curated team of experienced creative MASHers for our first campaign was a very rewarding experience, so we are delighted to have engaged them once more as we embark on our next marketing phase.”

Meanwhile, Santoz Kumar, general manager, Singapore and head of sales, Asia at The IRONMAN Group said, “MASH impressed us with their ability to put together a team of creative and event marketing specialists within a very short time. From the very start of the engagement, we were working against a closing window of opportunity and an evolving COVID situation to execute a successful campaign.”

He added, “MASH became a highly trusted and valued partner very quickly once we saw first-hand their dedication and commitment in achieving our goals. I would say MASH’s key values to brands is their agility, energy, dedication and drive.”

Sydney, Australia – Given the growing demand by SMEs for international payments, financial services company KVB Global Capital has partnered with Xero, the global small business platform, to offer multi-currency cross-border payments with competitive exchange rate advantages and a global payment network.

The partnership aims to simplify cross-border payment processes and improve financial workflows for SMEs by combining Xero’s capabilities and the advantages of GCFX, which is its global currency trading and settlement service provider,  further reducing the costs of engaging in global business.

Business users only need to connect their GCFX account with Xero to enjoy two major benefits, namely automatic bank feeds, which synchronize transactions conducted through GCFX to the user’s Xero account daily without the need for re-entry of data, simplifying the reconciliation process for the finance team; and the express FX payments of bills, where users can manage payment instructions by currencies, recipients or due dates, and enjoy a competitive exchange rate to cater for their different business and geographic needs by using the GCFX app.

Ning Sun, KVB Global Capital’s executive director, commented, “We are pleased to work with Xero in empowering SMEs engaged in global businesses, and reducing the time and money spent on cross-border settlement for them, along with enjoying an efficient and convenient funds transfer experience.”

KVB Global Capital said that the integration with Xero will be initially launched in Australia and then connected to other countries and regions later.

Australia – The strategic partnership, brand, and experiential agency, Bastion Experience, has appointed James Bartold, former head of sponsorship, events, and commercial strategy at North Melbourne Football Club, to assume the newly created role of group director for brand partnerships.

Prior to his previous role at North Melbourne Football Club, Bartold has also worked as a management consultant across private and public sector clients and has held roles as a journalist at the ABC and AFL. He has been crucial in developing leading sponsorships across AFL and AFLW from ideation, leveraging strategy and execution, and leading a diverse team across sponsorship and experiential. Bartold has worked with clients including Mazda, Spirit of Tasmania, Hello Solar, and Ego Pharmaceuticals, as well as Chemist Warehouse and McDonald’s.

The appointment comes as a result of a renewed focus from Bastion’s clients on brand partnerships as part of their marketing strategy. The agency believes Bartold’s depth of experience, together with Bastion Experience’s decade-long ability to tap into real-world cultural, audience, competitor, and contextual insights will ensure that the business continually delivers best-in-class expertise to clients.

Commenting on his new role, Bartold said, “I am excited to be a part of a leader in the space that can help brands navigate the breadth of opportunities and provide solutions that build genuine partnerships that deliver for both parties.”

Meanwhile, Matt McCann, Bastion Experience’s CEO, commented that they have been heavily involved in the sponsorship industry for over 10 years and that they are encouraged by the current live conversations happening as brands look to further tap into the deep emotional connection between live events and partnerships. 

“After an in-depth search to find the right individual, we’re extremely excited about James joining the team. Five seasons leading the North Melbourne Club’s partnerships and commercial brand strategy brings a deep understanding of how to build, negotiate, deliver and measure effective sponsorship relationships. We are already seeing James’ impact on our team and our clients, which is brilliant,” said McCann.