Melbourne, Australia – Marketing communications company Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has hired a new general manager Scott Balalas for its business account, beverage company Carlton & United, which includes Asahi Beverages as well.
Balalas’ appointment coincides with Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s recent work Victoria Bitter, a part of Asahi Beverages in Australia, for its VB Solar Exchange Program, which incentivizes Australians for their extra solar power energy with free beers from Victoria Bitter.
Speaking about the campaign back then, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne executive creative director, Jim Curtis, said, “I couldn’t be more proud to see one of Australia’s most iconic brands leading the way and showing the rest of the world an innovative economic model between brands and consumers.”
The campaign comes after Asahi Beverages was acquired by Carlton & United Breweries last year. The program is part of Asahi’s ambitious sustainability agenda, which includes a goal to be powered entirely by 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Balalas comes from creative agency 72andSunny in New York, where he has more than 15 years of local and international experience having worked at agencies including Anomaly, Havas and BMF.
“It has been awesome to watch from afar as the advertising industry in Australia continues to make its mark as one of the world’s most creative markets. Clemenger BBDO Melbourne continues to be at the forefront of that movement. In discussing the agency vision with Jim and seeing the creative firepower Clemenger is attracting, I’m incredibly excited to be part of the team,” said Balalas.
Jim Gall, CEO at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, commented, “Wherever Scott goes, great work consistently follows and I am confident this will continue with CUB. We’re looking forward to Scott leading our relationship with the brewery and helping to foster sustained growth through world-class creativity.”