Tag: Media agency

Sydney, Australia – Following a competitive pitch, global sports footwear and apparel brand, New Balance, has appointed Mediahub as its strategic media partner in Australia and New Zealand.

The appointment will see Mediahub undertake full funnel strategy, planning and activation across all channels for New Balance.

The collaboration was immediately put into effect with New Balance’s first running campaign ‘Run Your Way’ which was recently launched globally. Utilising Mediahub’s unique SCOUT Insights tool, the campaign is managed out of Australia and executed across Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and the UAE.

Talking about the partnership, Sue Squillace, CEO of Mediahub, said the appointment further reinforced the strength of Mediahub’s offer and its ability to strategically partner with iconic global brands.

“At the heart of our capability is data-driven strategy informed by our unique SCOUT Insights tool, which was a central part of our offer to New Balance across multiple markets,” Squillace explained. 

Joel Hanlon, head of marketing for New Balance Australia and New Zealand, added, “We are thrilled to extend our already successful partnership in North America and EMEA into Australia and New Zealand enabling New Balance to drive a consistent brand message and effectiveness across the globe in what will be a big year for us in these key markets.”

Meanwhile, Darren Tucker, regional director of New Balance, mentioned, “We were impressed by Mediahub’s ability to pinpoint core elements of our audiences across so many different markets.  In particular, they were able to identify New Balance ‘Global Independents’; an audience profile that we can localise to ensure we are reaching the right people, the right way, at all points on the customer journey.”

New York, USA – Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of Omnicom Group has announced the appointment of OMG EMEA CEO Guy Marks as CEO of PHD Worldwide. He will be replacing Philippa Brown, who will step down from the role after almost 5 years of handling it. 

In his new role effective October 1, Marks will be headquartered in London and will be reporting to OMG global CEO Florian Adamski. His successor as leader of OMG EMEA is expected to be named in the following week.

Marks joined OMG in 2014 following Omnicom’s acquisition of Mobile5, the global UX, design and tech consultancy service that he co-founded. As CEO of OMG EMEA, he helped establish Omnicom’s Transact connected commerce and retail media consultancy in the region; and co-architected the expansion of OMG’s TRKKN analytics and cloud consultancy from five European countries to 20 markets across APAC, EMEA and North America.

Speaking on his own appointment, Marks said, “As the CEO of PHD – an agency that was born from a transformative concept of media as a strategic tool – my priority will be assuring that every PHD account team around the world have the talent, tools, technology and collective commitment to excellence they need to deliver the transformative ideas, solutions and service that drive growth for our clients, our agency, and our people.”

Meanwhile, Adamski commented, “Guy is one of our industry’s most entrepreneurial leaders, with an approach that transformed first OMD’s and subsequently Omnicom Media Group’s offering in EMEA over the past six years. The fact that – at the same time – he was also one of the network’s key people coordinating Omnicom’s boots-on-the-ground Ukrainian relief and rescue efforts tells you everything you need to know about both his character and his leadership skills.”

Singapore – Global media company IPG Mediabrands has announced the launch of ‘Unified Retail Media Solution’, a dedicated business unit that will enable brands to intelligently manage their investment performance seamlessly across all retail media network.

Through the new business unit, IPG Mediabrands aims to bring transparency and trust to the space — powered by a unique tech platform focusing on unified audience, measurement, optimisation and intelligence. 

The solution also empowers brands with a holistic view of their performance, automated cross-retailer activation and optimization, maximizing sales and profitability.

‘Unified Retail Media Solution’ is led by Glen Conybeare, executive lead and global president for Reprise Commerce and Retail Media at IPG Mediabrands, and has been beta tested by IPG Mediabrands clients in the CPG, gaming and over-the-counter (OTC) sectors, and already has hundreds of bespoke audiences built out with a roadmap to hit over 10,000 by year-end.

“Retail Media Networks offer a huge opportunity for marketers. However, each network operates as a closed-loop system which makes it really difficult to drive ROI effectively. With dozens of retail channels as part of many clients’ investment strategies, it has been difficult to compare their relative performance. With our Unified Retail Media Platform, we have standardized a key part of the process,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eileen Kiernan, global CEO at IPG Mediabrands, commented, “Brands activating in retail media face the challenge of navigating through multiple closed garden networks, each with their own data approach, metrics and ROI methods. This complexity is amplified for brands that also sell their products through these retailers.”

She added, “Therefore, it is crucial for brands seeking to maximize their investment to leverage data and insight across networks with an ability to make intelligent decisions in real time about what’s working and not.”

Australia – Creative communications agency one green bean (OGB), has now been added to Taco Bell Australia’s roster of collaborating partners. 

Starting this July 2023, OGB will now be working across influencer, social media and PR projects to support product launches and brand building for Taco Bell Australia. 

As of now, Taco Bell Australia currently has 39 restaurants across the country. The company plans to set up shop in several more locations nationally.

Amber Abbott, managing director at one green bean, said that they are thrilled to provide marketing and advertising support to Taco Bell in Australia. 

“The brand has a cult following around the world and we’re looking forward to earning attention among an Aussie audience for an adventurous brand,not afraid to do things differently,” she said. 

Speaking about the partnership with ogb, Andrew Howie, chief marketing officer at Taco Bell South Pacific, mentioned, “Since launching in Australia in 2017, we’ve seen steady growth of the Taco Bell brand locally with restaurants opening across QLD, NSW, VIC, and WA. We’re excited to appoint One Green Bean to support us as we enter a new stage of growth in Australia.”

“We know how important it is as a challenger brand in the market to build brand love and an agency like one green bean is perfectly placed to help us do that – whether it’s through Influencer, Social or Earned media,” he added. 

Gurugram, India – Havas Media Group India, the media expertise division of Havas India, has announced a significant elevation of its senior leadership team across functions to further strengthen its structure. 

The strategic restructuring is part of the agency’s expansion of its business and service portfolios through collaborations and increased efficiency, in line with its unprecedented growth.

According to Havas, the elevation of the senior leadership team is a testament to the agency’s commitment to delivering unparalleled media solutions to its clients. The newly elevated senior leadership team will bring their extensive industry experience and expertise to drive the agency’s growth, foster innovation, and enhance its service offerings. 

Two of the key elevations are Roopali Sharma and Harbir Singh, now as president – North 1 and North 2, respectively, at Havas Media India. The two will further strengthen client partnerships, profitability, and business relations.

Saurabh Jain has also been elevated as president – South, Havas Media India and will be responsible for scaling up the momentum and growth of the agency’s success story in South — a key focus market for Havas Media India. 

Meanwhile, Manish Sharma, in his elevated role as managing partner – West, Havas Media India will continue making significant contributions to Havas’ successful journey in the West region. New business acquisitions, growth of the existing roster and service strategy will be integral to his role.

As the Chief Strategy Officer for Havas Media India, Sanchita Roy will likewise drive strategic innovation and growth to the next level for clients and the agency alike. She will be bringing with her a deep industry experience and vision which made her a fitting candidate to represent the agency at global platforms like Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Campaign Agency of Year – South Asia in 2022.

Lastly, Rohan Chincholi has been appointed as managing partner – digital services, Havas Media India, where he will strategise on expanding and enhancing the agency offerings and outcomes to ensure being at par with the digital industry’s evolution in current times.

The team will report to Uday Mohan, managing director, Havas Media India. Commenting on the elevations, he said, “I feel great pride in seeing the team on a rapid growth path. The elevations are aimed at recognizing the team’s commitment and further strengthening our core ensuring heightened focus on sustainable growth and unlocking greater possibilities. Best wishes to all for the new journey with additional responsibilities.”

Havas Media Group India CEO, Mohit Joshi also said, “We are delighted to elevate our core leadership team to new roles. Their exceptional dedication and business acumen have been critical to our success.”

He added, “In 2023, we have set very high growth targets for ourselves, and I am confident that the team will tap into attaining exceptional results aiding us create a meaningful difference in the country’s media eco-system. Congratulations to all.”

This follows Havas Media Group’s recent media mandate wins, including PUMA India and Paradise Biryani.

Gurgaon, India – Media agency Mindshare in India has been appointed by car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki to handle its media mandate. With a focus on innovative strategies and technology-driven solutions, Mindshare aims to leverage its expertise in performance, data, digital, and content to co-create innovative solutions for Maruti Suzuki’s growth in the coming years.

Moreover, as a flagship agency from GroupM, Mindshare’s expertise, creativity, and strategic vision will help steer the Maruti Suzuki brand towards a faster lane of growth and success, operating from its Gurgaon office.

Shashank Srivastava, senior executive officer of marketing and sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are looking forward to this partnership with Mindshare (Group M) as our integrated media agency. We expect to leverage Mindshare’s strengths in the media industry to synergize and optimise our media spends and co-create ground-breaking initiatives that will give us an edge in today’s competitive automotive industry. We look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.”

The win is also a significant milestone for GroupM, making it one of the largest media wins in the region further demonstrating its commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and driving growth for businesses.

Meanwhile, Helen McRae, CEO of Mindshare Asia Pacific, commented, “This win by Mindshare in securing the media mandate for Maruti Suzuki is a significant milestone for the advertising industry in India. It highlights the agency’s exceptional capabilities in providing innovative and technology-driven solutions to their clients. We are excited to see the strategic vision and expertise of Mindshare to steer Maruti Suzuki towards sustainable and responsible growth. This partnership is a testament to the agency’s commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and driving growth for businesses in the region.”

Lastly, Amin Lakhani, CEO at Mindshare South Asia, stated, “We are thrilled and deeply honoured to have been awarded this esteemed mandate. We are committed to delivering outstanding results for Maruti Suzuki. Our continuous investments in new products, platforms, and people have helped us build a future-ready team that can partner with clients in their growth journey. We are excited to co-create innovative solutions using our expertise in performance, data, digital, and content to drive Maruti Suzuki’s growth in the coming years.”

Australia – Independent media agency Half Dome has announced a new brand positioning centred on the agency’s promise to unlock the ‘Whole Potential’ of its clients and people. The rebrand comes as the agency celebrates its growth and sixth year of operation.

The brand refresh includes a complete update of the company’s visual identity and brand assets, as well as the development of a new website in partnership with digital agency Straight Out Digital, plus a new, expanded Melbourne office later this year.

Moreover, the new brand positioning reflects the agency’s commitment to attracting and retaining clients and people who share a ‘challenger mindset’.

“Working with clients in the marketing space for our whole existence, Half Dome has a sound understanding of what constitutes a strong brand strategy and brand campaign. We have invested heavily in a rigorous process which engaged leaders in the strategy and creative fields to ensure that we practiced what we preach,” said Half Dome’s co-founder and Head of Product, Will Harms.

He added, “Where we have landed, with our promise to clients and staff of unlocking their ‘Whole Potential’, is both a celebration of what we are already doing, whilst simultaneously providing the necessary ambition which will fuel our product and culture growth over the coming years.”

Joe Frazer, co-founder and head of growth at Half Dome, also explained, “‘Whole Potential’ is a rally cry to attract like-minded clients and individuals; our research indicates a sentiment in the market from clients that they could and should be getting more from their agencies. Our unique positioning sits at the intersection of holding groups, independent agencies, and consultancies – drawing on the best parts of each.”

Half Dome also engaged external brand consultants Untangld and creative agency By All Means to assist the agency to develop its positioning and new brand identity. The discovery process included extensive interviews with staff, clients, the industry, and external partners for more than nine months.

James Needham, strategy director of Untangld, said, “Half Dome is often perceived as a ‘hot indie start-up’, when the truth is it’s a genuine alternative to the big boys. It was a pleasure working with them on a strategy for the business built around ambitious growth and real authenticity.” 

Meanwhile, Mat Cummings, managing partner of By All Means, commented, “We love working with the Half Dome team on client projects, so to be given the opportunity to bring the By All Means creative skills to the Half Dome brand was a project we couldn’t wait to take on. The challenge, as with any good brand, is bringing to life the truth via inspiring stories and visuals, and communicating what’s in it for all stakeholders, all the time future-proofing the brand.”

Half Dome is an Australian-owned full-service media agency established in 2017, which delivers services across paid media planning and buying, SEO and performance creative production, and works with challenger brands across all markets in Australia.

Melbourne, Australia – Industry superannuation fund HESTA has named PHD Melbourne as its media agency of record following a competitive pitch. The remit will include media strategy, planning, investment, and optimisation across all channels.

“We’re excited to work with PHD to continue evolving our Super with impact positioning in market, to reach new members across Australia, and help them face their future with confidence,” said Hesta’s Chief Experience Officer Lisa Samuels.

Lizzy O’Connor, group business director at PHD Melbourne also commented, “We really enjoyed this pitch as we immediately developed a strong chemistry with the team at Hesta, being aligned on brand values and a desire to deliver great work.”

Meanwhile, PHD Melbourne’s Managing Director Simon Lawson likewise shared his excitement over the partnership and building a long-term partnership with HESTA based on the principles of ‘authenticity, transparency and mutual respect.’

HESTA’s media mandate was previously handled by full-service media agency Initiative.

Australia – Regional food company Goodman Fielder has expanded the remit of media agency Initiative to now include retail marketing business, traditionally the domain of the business’ sales division.

Previously, Initiative was the media agency of record for Goodman Fielder, where it focused on the company’s above the line (ATL) media, including strategy, planning, buying, implementing and reporting. 

Work on the retail marketing side of Goodman Fielder’s media account commences immediately with first campaigns expected in market by the middle of the second quarter.

Jo McAlister, managing director at Initiative Sydney said the fundamental shift in the way Goodman Fielder is approaching its brand and retail trade marketing is a gamechanger; and Initiative’s team is thrilled to have the ability to take a more universal approach to investment, allowing best practice of having ATL, at-shelf and at-home to seamlessly work together.

“Combining brand and retail has been proven to provide Goodman Fielder with the strongest integrated media product possible. The work we collectively delivered for the widely recognised ‘Wonder Recycling Rewards’ campaign shows the closer these two worlds are, the stronger the results,” he explained.

McAlister also commented that it has also astounded them that less than 5% of retail media investment is managed via media agencies, a statistic Australia is lagging behind mature markets, and they feel it’s an untapped opportunity for brands to create an unfair advantage.

“We will harness the full capabilities of Cartology, Coles 360 and others, while leveraging our ATL media partners, to create a true consumer-first end-to-end solutions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Christine Fung, chief marketing officer at Goodman Fielder, commented, “Taking a holistic approach to our media and retail investment strategy has proven to deliver results for us, and we are delighted Initiative is our partner on the next stage of our growth journey as we accelerate our approach. We can’t wait to see what amazing results we can achieve as a team.”

Singapore – Global brand publishing agency Green Park Content (GPC) has recently rebranded to Greenpark, with its rebrand effort focused on purpose and performance-driven content.

The new update comes in line with the agency’s goal of gearing up for hyper-growth of its business, talent, and clientele in the global market, as well as being able to help more brands explore and fully embrace their purpose through its data-driven, omnichannel approach to drive quality consumer engagement, spike conversions, and achieve commercial objectives.

Parallel to its rebranding effort, Greenpark’s innovation and strategic diversification now extend to the latest in artificial intelligence. Its generative AI creative solution enhances content output while delivering time and cost savings for clients. By marrying state-of-the-art marketing tech with human expertise, Greenpark cements its status as a brand publishing pioneer—and a purveyor of award-winning content.

Moreover, the agency has also built a dedicated insights division integrated with its established SEO expertise to drive impactful strategies across search and social to deepen cross-platform audience insights.

For Sven Lung, founder and CEO at Greenpark, the rebrand effort aims at strengthening their competitive brand proposition.

“By leveraging our creative, strategic and technical expertise to double down on purposeful content that makes a difference in people’s lives, we can help more brands live their purpose through digital channels to drive quality engagement with consumers, higher conversions and achieve commercial objectives,” Lung said.

He added, “As a business culture, we strive and act together in our ambition to make a positive impact for the people and brands we serve, we do everything with kindness at the core – these are the values that guide us at Greenpark.”