Australia – BMF, the creative agency based in Sydney, has appointed three new hires to strengthen its planning department, namely Anna Bollinger, the new head of planning, Jessica Sutanto, the new senior strategic planner, and Benjamin Yap, the junior planner.
Bollinger’s career spans over 14 years in the advertising industry, with broad experience in QSR, FMCG, service, and retail industries. Bollinger’s appointment is a comeback to BMF, having started her career in the agency as a grad. From BMF then, she moved on to work with advertising agency DDB, and then independent creative firm The Special Group.
Commenting on her appointment, Bollinger said, “I was fortunate to start my career at BMF and so rejoining the team feels like coming home. What’s more, it’s my joy to be invited to work on ALDI: one of the most pioneering and entertaining brands.”
Meanwhile, Sutanto joins from DDB where she worked on large accounts including Westpac and McDonald’s, and dabbled in brand work with Netflix, Neutrogena, Carefree, and Pharma.
And lastly, Yap has worked in multiple social content roles at creative companies including Red Engine, Ogilvy PR, and most recently at BMF’s sister agency Orchard. He brings with him over five years of experience in delivering social campaigns for the likes of consumer and healthcare brands, and working with clients such as PepsiCo, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Microsoft, among others.
Christina Aventi, BMF’s chief strategy officer, commented that they feel lucky to have three stellar planners “stomping the floor” at Pyrmont.
“Ben is a beautiful soul and a modern-day planner whose background will teach us a thing or two. Jess is a licorice all-sort of a planner, equally comfortable in the lofty heights of brand and deep in the nitty-gritty of connections planning. I will likely be reporting to her one day. And Anna, well, what can I say? When I asked people for recommendations for the best head senior planner around, her name ALWAYS came up,” said Aventi.
In August this year, BMF has also announced the return of its former senior copywriter, Lucy Kough to become its new creative director. She brings over 20 years of experience across direct, brand, media, digital, and experiential, as well as regional, and CRM.