Tag: Media agency

Sydney, Australia – Media agency network OMD in Australia has just announced a new co-CEO leadership structure through the promotion of Laura Nice and Sian Whitnall as new co-CEOs of the agency, effective immediately. 

OMD has long had a people strategy of developing and promoting staff from within, and follows the agency’s continued stability to OMD’s people, clients, and partners, with significant new business wins and key client retention alongside industry award recognition.

Nice and Whitnall will take overall responsibility for OMD assets nationally, leading a workforce of more than 600 people. 

Nice first joined OMD Australia in 2012 as a business director for their Telstra account. In 2014, Nice returned home to the UK where she took up the role of group head at Vizeum, followed by head of consultancy and development for Omnicom Media Group’s Annalect. She returned to Australia in 2019 as OMD Sydney’s joint managing director.

“As an ‘OMD Boomeranger’ I know firsthand the benefits of working for a culture as strong as OMD Australia’s. To be given the opportunity to lead the next chapter with Sian is a proud moment, as we strive to build on OMD’s current success and momentum. Personally, I’m excited to focus on the depth and breadth of our client relationships and identify growth opportunities for our people to further develop their capability and evolve our offering for the future,” Nice stated regarding her appointment.

Meanwhile, Whitnall first joined OMD in 2013 as an interactive director, with her most recent role being OMD Australia’s chief digital officer. Her digital transformation initiative, OMD Navigate, has driven strong business results for OMD and their clients.

“I feel so passionately about OMD so it’s an absolute privilege for Laura and myself to be given the opportunity to lead the agency. I am excited to continue working alongside OMD’s incredible talent, to grow the capability within the brand and to drive growth for our clients in areas that will have the most impact for their businesses,” Whitnall said.

Speaking about the new promotions, Peter Horgan, CEO at Omnicom Media Group ANZ, commented, “They have been fundamental to OMD’s ongoing growth and success over recent years and are embedded across all areas of the business. Together, their complementary skill sets and ability to work as a team, is exactly what OMD needs for the future of our business. OMD has a history of success with leadership partnerships and given the size and scale of OMD Australia, there is no better time to revisit this winning formula.”

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.

Shanghai, China – Renowned sports retailer Decathlon in China has appointed OMD China as its official media agency locally, following a multi-agency pitch. The agency will be taking over its integrated media planning and buying duties across traditional and digital channels for the sports retailer.

OMD China said it was able to clinch the account by displaying a strategic approach to deliver business results through digital and data-led expertise. 

For the remit, the agency will be guided as well by OMD Design, the agency’s end-to-end planning process.

“Over the course of a rigorous selection process, OMD demonstrated their experience and passion for the sports category as well as their advanced strategic thinking with integrated group resources. I’m confident our partnership will result in our brand breaking through in a highly-competitive category and we look forward to working with OMD together for a new journey in the coming future,” said Heddy Yuan, chief marketing officer at Decathlon China.

Meanwhile, Connie Chan, CEO at OMD China, commented that said appointment is a testament to OMD’s strategic approach and their emphasis on placing greater insights and capabilities at the heart of communications planning.

“Coupled with the calibre and passion of the team, we look forward to leveraging the best of our capabilities to drive direct and measurable business impact for Decathlon,” Chan stated.

This appointment comes on the back of OMD China’s recent wins that include UNICEF, BHP and Taro, a Thai snack company.

Tokyo, Japan – Global data and measurement-driven media agency Essence has elevated current associate vice president for client services for Japan Kota Murakami to the role of managing director for Essence in Japan.

He will be responsible for leading continued client-centric innovation in data, analytics and technology, as well as business growth and company culture for Essence in the market.

In his previous role as AVP for client services, he headed the agency’s client services and drove business growth for the agency in Japan, as well as overseeing key client services in Korea. Previously, he served as global account director at Tag in the United States, streamlining creative production processes for major brands and agencies through software as a service.

He will be reporting to T. Gangadhar, CEO for APAC at Essence as part of the agency’s APAC leadership team; and Michael Beecroft, CEO for Northeast Asia at GroupM as part of GroupM Japan’s executive committee.

“Kota has done an excellent job in spearheading, in collaboration with the leadership team, Essence’s growth and development in Japan over the past few years. In addition to global and local industry experience, he has a deep understanding of our business, product offering, clients, work, people and culture. I am excited about his vision for Essence in Japan and how he will take the agency to new heights,” Gangadhar said.

Meanwhile, Beecroft commented, “Kota’s contribution to Essence’s growth has been clear. With his appointment to GroupM Japan’s executive committee earlier this year, and now as the confirmed leader of Essence Japan, his impact on the Essence and overall GroupM business will only increase.”

Singapore – The global mass media and entertainment giant, WarnerMedia, has announced the opening of its new regional hub for Asia in Singapore, which is dedicated for markets in Asia except China and Japan. 

WarnerMedia’s new hub, which was officially opened on September 24, 2021 by Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information (MCI) Josephine Teo, signals the full integration of its businesses in the region that includes Warner Bros., HBO, and Turner brands. It also houses the new streaming platform HBO Max, which is expected to launch in its first Asian markets in the future.

The new office is a sprawling 40,000 sq ft across two floors at Solaris in Fusionopolis, the city state’s media and tech business park. The modern space was designed by Singapore firm ID21 and incorporates a post-COVID and flexible work environment inspired by an ‘Activity Based Work’ strategy.

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Clement Schwebig, WarnerMedia’s managing director for India, Southeast Asia, and Korea, believes that the new flagship office is more than just a new workspace, as it brings together the most incredible parts of their diverse business – from Harry Potter’s Wizarding World to Looney Tunes, Game of Thrones and Wonder Woman – under one roof for the first time.

“Here in Singapore, we have long supported a sizable ecosystem for the entertainment, broadcast, production, and licensing industries. From our new Singapore hub, we will continue with our ambitious plans for the region,” said Schwebig.

Moreover, WarnerMedia expects to substantially increase additional roles in Singapore in the coming years, including those in the technology field as the company increases focus on its direct-to-consumer streaming business led by Amit Malhotra, the managing director of HBO Max for Southeast Asia, India, and Korea.

“As we get ready to launch HBO Max in our first Asian markets, we’ll build on WarnerMedia’s legacy of incredible stories and introduce a brand-new streaming experience for our fans in the region. Our new office space in Singapore as a regional HQ will be the perfect backdrop for the innovative work to be done in the lead-up to our launch,” said Malhotra.

Meanwhile, on a tour of the office, Minister Teo also met with young Singaporean employees, who discussed their early experiences in the media industry. Joining her on the tour was Lew Chuen Hong, the CEO of Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA).

Hong commented, “We are excited that Singapore is home to WarnerMedia’s new Asian Hub. There is tremendous potential in this region, and the new Hub signals the central role that Singapore plays in WarnerMedia’s expansion plans.”

Sydney, Australia – Independent media agency Match & Wood has announced the appointment of former IPG executive Stuart MacDougall, to the newly created role of national performance director.

Through his new role, he will be leading the paid search and social performance for Match & Wood’s clients across Australia, with offices in Melbourne and Perth.

Prior to his new role, he worked as paid media director at IPG Mediabrands, handling across key accounts such as Officeworks, Kmart and RAC. Prior to this, he led paid search for Reprise Perth, and also worked as a search specialist at Mediacom in Sydney.

“I’ve watched them grow into one of the best and most successful independent media agencies in Australia. The thing that excites me the most are the fresh ideas and great culture that is immediately present all the way through the business. I can’t wait to work across the diverse client base and further develop their performance product,” he stated, regarding his appointment.

MacDougall is the latest hire for Match & Wood which have been steadily adding to their ranks across both Perth and Melbourne in recent months. Former The Brand Agency media planner/buyer Jodie Allen has joined as communications advisor, Keleigh Moore has been appointed as communications manager from OMD and Tiffany Doan joins from Nunn Media as digital communications manager.

Match & Wood chief operating officer, Chris O’Keefe, said: “We’re so excited to have such an accomplished digital specialist join our national team. Having worked with Stuart in the past I know that he will bring a unique perspective and strategic, data-fuelled decision making to our clients’ businesses.”

The new additions come as Match & Wood wins a number of clients including Curtin University, Pentanet and Intelicare. 

Sydney, Australia – Agnes Media, the measurement-first media agency, has recently launched in Australia, with global payment and shopping service Klarna as a foundation client. The new agency is founded by Charlotte Ward, former marketing consultant at marketing analytics company Insighten.

Agnes Media specializes in working with clients that have aggressive growth and measurement goals, helping them optimize their digital marketing campaigns and improve return on investment and advertising spend. The new media agency offers performance media strategy, planning, buying, and campaign management, as well as analytics, SEO, and creative design services.

Fintech giant Klarna has been working closely with Agnes Media on performance media management since 2020, with a specific focus on co-branded retail activity and shopper insights. Besides Klarna, the new media agency is also working with various brands both locally and globally.

Its founder Ward has previously worked in media across Australia, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. She previously held roles at advertising platform Amobee, airline company Qantas, and media agency DWA Sydney, as well as marketing company OMD, among others. Ward decided to launch Agnes Media after a period of freelancing and building her own client base.

Commenting on the newly launched media agency, Ward said that having consulted across a number of businesses, it was clear to her that there was a real opportunity to zero in on performance media and maximize digital media campaigns’ effectiveness. 

Ward further shared that her goal is to help clients realize their digital marketing objectives, and she said the agency is a fully transparent one where clients own their data. Where Agnes Media comes in is providing them real-time reporting dashboards that pull in platform data from a range of sources for reports that align campaign performance and actionable insights that can be shared across the business.

“We’re delighted to have been working with Klarna to provide performance media and analytics. They’re such a dynamic brand; and being able to create truly flexible, scalable, easily-optimizable campaigns has been a massive benefit to their business. The best part, we’ve been able to provide our clients with meaningful, actionable insights that they’re now using to iterate and define future campaigns,” added Ward.

Australia – Havas Media Group, the media division of global marketing and communications group Havas, has tapped Dan Johns, former chief operating officer of media and marketing solutions agency IPG Mediabrands, to be its managing partner.

The newly created role will help further drive the digital and data capabilities of the business and will report directly to Virginia Hyland, the CEO of Havas Media Group.

Johns brings with him 27 years of experience as a senior executive in two known media agencies, namely IPG Mediabrands and Ikon. He has also previously founded independent consultancy Ippon, which has provided strategic and operational advice to a variety of blue-chip marketing businesses including advertisers, agencies, and media owners. Johns specializes in digital and data businesses, including audience buying, digital experience, and social marketing agencies. He will be joining Havas Media Group at an exciting time as the network accelerates its investment into data-driven, performance, and e-commerce capabilities.

Commenting on his appointment, Johns said, “The last three years working as an independent consultant to some of Australia’s most successful brands have been both a liberating and eye-opening experience. I am really looking forward to putting into practice all that I have learned to help Havas Media Group fast track its ambitions.”

Meanwhile, Hyland said that Johns is one of the most respected senior media operators within the industry, and believes that he will bring enormous digital, data, and technology capabilities to marketers who continue to focus on driving growth for their brands. 

“We are incredibly excited and proud to have someone of Dan’s caliber join our rapidly growing group as we continue to innovate and evolve. Dan’s wealth of experience will undoubtedly benefit our team and our clients, helping to elevate our thinking and capability in the ever-changing dynamic media landscape,” added Hyland.

India – Dentsu international’s media agency arm dentsu X India has been appointed by Roca Bathroom Products Private Limited (RBPPL), also known as Roca Parryware, the subsidiary of Roca India that produces bathroom products, to be its strategic media partner.

The appointment will see dentsu X leading RBPPL’s media strategy, planning, and buying for the entire portfolio of both brands – Roca India and Roca Parryware.

Sharing on how the company landed the decision, KE Ranganathan, the managing director of Roca Parryware, said that the company was impressed by dentsu X India’s understanding of their target audience and the bathroom space, and that the company believes their proprietary tools and strategy will help them optimize each platform and enhance their reach. 

“Our company is back to healthy double-digit revenue growth since October 2020. Looking into the year ahead, there is huge optimism to sustain and grow even higher. To drive this growth momentum we are embarking on a focused brand campaign through mass media for our power brands – Roca and Parryware. While these two brands enjoy high brand recall among our customers, it is important for us to continue to stay on top-of-the-mind and embed relevant brand attributes. With this agenda, we looked towards dentsu X for a solution,” added Ranganathan.

Meanwhile, Divya Karani, the chief executive officer of dentsu X India, commented, “We are delighted to be the strategic media partners to Roca Parryware. We look forward to partnering them in scaling new heights.”