Staff Reporters
Oct 23, 2024

Move and win roundup: Week of October 21, 2024

Catch up on the latest key appointments and business wins, including IPG Mediabrands being named DuluxGroup's Australian media agency of record, McCann Worldgroup Singapore’s creative director appointment, and Leo Burnett's creative win of the ANZ Bank account, plus much more.

Campaign compiles a new 'Move and win roundup' as each week progresses. 
This edition will cover October 21 through October 25, 2024. 
Catch up on past people moves and business wins

DuluxGroup has appointed IPG Mediabrands as its Australian media agency of record and strategic media partner, following a competitive pitch. Mediabrands has created a bespoke agency, TeamInspire, led by group director Felix Mason, with teams based in Sydney and Melbourne. Their remit includes full-funnel media strategy, planning, and activation across all channels for DuluxGroup’s brands such as Dulux, Cabot’s, Porters Paints, Selleys, and Yates. Work has already commenced, with campaigns like the launch of Dulux Wash & Wear already live in the market.

FCB Shout has secured five new clients. The agency was appointed by Kao Malaysia to lead key 2025 campaigns, partnering to enhance the brand’s market position. Other new clients include Cosmoderm and Alpha Home Appliances, along with Malaysia's electric utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad for which FCB Shout led the 2024 Merdeka campaign. Additionally, Jaecoo has selected FCB Shout to launch its J7 luxury SUV in Malaysia with print, DOOH, and radio ads.

KC Global Media Asia has announced several key leadership promotions following the departure of Avani Bhanchawat, vice president and head of revenue after seven years with the company. In addition, a number of executives have been promoted, reporting directly to George Chien, co-founder, CEO and president:
  • Shirlene Wu has been promoted to vice president and general manager, Taiwan & Greater China, responsible for strategic operations and content development in the region. Wu has been instrumental in enhancing partnerships with tourism boards and establishing an advertising sales team in Taiwan during her eight-year tenure.

  • Edith Goh becomes vice president, revenue and head of media and sponsorship sales, focusing on media initiatives and sponsorship deals. Goh has successfully secured key partnerships with brands such as One Championship and tourism boards.

  • Bhuvnesh Kanwar is promoted to vice president, revenue and head of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television), responsible for driving streaming revenue across regions like Indonesia, South Asia, and Africa, and leading initiatives such as launching KC Global Media's first FAST Channel in India.

  • Bonnie Wiryani assumes the role of vice president, revenue and head of content sales, driving content sales in Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, and expanding channels in markets like Mongolia and the Maldives.

Hogarth has appointed Anna Quinn as managing director for its Australian operations. With over 20 years in senior position experience across media, digital, integrated content studios, marketing and finance sectors, Quinn's background is in building and leading teams. Her role at Hogarth will see her focus on the agency's growing roster of clients, and ensure that the agency is delivering effective and efficient content. A qualified accountant, with expertise in digital transformation and operational leadership, Quinn's experience includes being the general manager at powered (Nine), managing director of MAXMEDIALAB and various leadership roles at Bauer Media.  
 
Meanwhile, Justin Ricketts, Hogarth AUNZ’s CEO, has taken on the additional role of global chief transformation officer. In this expanded role, Ricketts will focus on optimising global client partnerships and transforming the Hogarth offering through AI and new products and services. Ricketts will remain as CEO of Hogarth AUNZ, but the day-to-day management of the business will move to MD Anna Quinn and COO Carol Berdayes. Having joined Hogarth in 2017 as the CEO of Hogarth AUNZ, Ricketts has since grown the agency's roster with a strong mix of direct local clients and a reputation for disruption and early adoption of new products and services.
 
McCann Worldgroup Singapore has appointed Dan Parmenter as its new creative director. Parmenter joins the agency to oversee the multinational accounts of Mastercard, Reckitt, Microsoft and Cisco. With 18 years’ experience in South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore, Parmenter has previously worked with Ogilvy, TBWA, FCB, Y&R and M&C Saatchi and his work has been recognised at international and regional shows including Cannes Lions, Clio, One Show, London International, and The Loerie Awards.
 
Iris Singapore has appointed Paolo Agulto as its new executive creative director. Agulto will report to Iris' managing director Rebecca Nadilo. With more than 15 years' industry experience, Agulto started his career as a copywriter with Saatchi & Saatchi, before taking on the role of creative group head at both DDB and BLK J. IN 2019, he joined The Secret Little Agency as creative director and prior to joining Iris, he was creative director at Accenture Song in Singapore. 
 
ROAD Consultancy, a newly launched digital media consultancy focused on enhancing choices for the APAC media industry, has announced its first official partnership with Mantis Solutions, an organisation dealing with brand safety and precise contextual advertising. The collaboration comes as part of Mantis’ ongoing expansion into the APAC region.

We Are Social Singapore has appointed Rodrigo Mitma as their new creative director. Mitma will be responsible for leading the creative team with fellow creative director, Daniel Foo, to deliver social-first, innovative, and effective work for clients. A Peruvian-native, Mitma has been based in Singapore for the last seven years, where he has led creative teams at DDB and McCann Health. Prior to moving to Singapore, Mitma worked at Grey and CARNE Prime Advertising House in Lima. His work has scored awards at the Effies, Clio, LIA and Spikes, and shortlisted at Cannes Lions and D&AD. 

Leo Burnett Australia has hired Nick Timms as senior copywriter. Timms joined Leo Burnett as a copywriter in 2021, before leaving to join The Core Agency, and now rejoins the agency in a senior role. He previously worked as an account executive at Burson-Marsteller and as a content creative for Herd MSL. 

Pepper Content has launched Pepper Creative, a new unit that blends strategy, creativity, and technology to deliver content solutions. Spearheaded by Sahil Siddiqui (ex-Dentsu Creative India) Pepper Creative aims to bring a fresh perspective to enterprise content solutions. The unit will operate as a dedicated content studio, and has already begun collaborating with major brands such as ITC, Unilever, Mankind, Britannia, Marico, HDFC Bank, DSP Mutual Funds, and Flipkart over various projects.

Celebrating its 10th year, That Marketing Guy has announced a series of project wins across brand building, campaign creation, and digital engagement. These include a rebrand for HeritageSG, a campaign for Mount Elizabeth, and a KOL engagement campaign for Yellow Ribbon Project and their Yellow Ribbon Prison Run, as well as working with them for the YRP Concert to wrap up YRP20 this year. 

ANZ Bank has appointed Leo Burnett as its lead creative agency in Australia. The agency won a competitive pitch, beating other shortlisted agencies including Dentsu, The Monkeys, and BMF. Incumbent agency Special Australia withdrew from the bank’s creative agency pitch in August.

72andSunny has appointed Wesley Hawes as incoming chief creative officer. Hawes will take up the mantle as ANZ chief creative officer following his upcoming departure from Innocean. Hawes' hiring comes at a time when the agency is experiencing growth, having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with new clients such as BCF, MLC, Afterpay, and realestate.com.au. Previously Hawes was executive creative director at Innocean Australia. He played a key role in the agency's big award wins, including the inaugural ARIA Adland award. He worked for clients such as Hyundai and the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Prior to joining Innocean, Hawes worked at CHE Proximity, Marcel Sydney, TBWA, and BBH London.

Sandpiper Group has appointed Joan Ng as associate director, based in Singapore. Ng brings nearly two decades of journalism experience, most recently as a senior correspondent at The Business Times, where she covered private markets and was a founding member of the ESG reporting team. At Sandpiper, she will support the firm’s financial and sustainability practices, focusing on private markets and sustainability communications.

Lotame has promoted Zuzana Urbanova to vice president of agency solutions, APAC. In her new role, Urbanova will lead agency partnerships across the region, focusing on growth through data collaboration, strategic media curation, and innovative platform technology. She will also drive Lotame's go-to-market strategy with major holding companies and independent agencies. Urbanova, who previously led data solutions sales at Lotame, has a track record of driving revenue growth and securing industry partnerships with agencies like Publicis and Omnicom.

In accordance with a media report, three former Salesforce executives, Ian Calpin, Vlad Silak, and Rich Wright, have launched a new consulting agency, Carbonx Data & Marketing, focusing on helping clients integrate Salesforce's data cloud and marketing cloud, including AI-driven solutions. Backed by Beryl8, Salesforce's largest independent partner in Asia, carbonx aims to optimise Salesforce investments, enhance customer experiences, and build sustainable, scalable solutions. The agency is set to grow across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider APAC region, with a focus on underutilised technology and customer experiences.

FCB Interface has appointed Sonam Gautam as head of design and executive creative director. With over 16 years of experience in the luxury and beauty sectors, Gautam has worked on brands like Pantene, L'Oréal, and Maybelline. She joins from Good Glamm Group, where she led creative strategies for brands such as MyGlamm and Manish Malhotra Luxury Makeup.

After two decades at the helm, Steve O'Connor is stepping down as CEO of JCDecaux Australia and New Zealand. Effective January 1, 2025, chief commercial officer Max Eburne and chief financial officer David Watkins will assume leadership as co-CEOs. O'Connor will remain with the company through the end of 2024 to ensure a smooth transition. "I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and I thank everyone who has supported me and the company. Max and David are well-prepared to lead the business into the future," O'Connor said. "I’m looking forward to spending more time on my cattle farm, travelling, and contemplating the next chapter of my life.”

McDonald's Australia, the country's third-largest advertiser, has launched a creative agency review looking to add an additional agency to join its roster alongside DDB. DDB has worked on the brand’s creative since its Australian launch in 1971 and current remit includes brand, retail, sponsorship, and social. Campaign understands that DDB will remain the main agency of record for McDonald’s in Australia, while the pitch will look for an additional agency for various projects. The pitch is expected to be concluded by end of year. McDonald’s works with DDB’s Mango for its communications and PR, and Omnicom peer OMD for local media duties. 

PR agency WE Red Bridge is on a winning streak, adding three fashion and beauty brands to its growing roster, solidifying its position in the luxury sector. The agency has secured partnerships with heritage Scottish cashmere brand Johnstons of Elgin, makeup artist Natasha Denona, and Chinese sustainable skincare brand Herbeast. Johnstons of Elgin has tapped WE Red Bridge for its China PR, aiming to connect with Chinese consumers and showcase its two centuries of craftsmanship. Natasha Denona, launching in mainland China via Sephora in October 2024, has tasked the agency with establishing its formulas at the forefront of the beauty market. The agency will work towards elevating Herbeast's brand awareness and communicate its C-beauty philosophy within the premium skincare market in China. 

Clemengers has strengthened its creative department with six new appointments. Joining the team are:

  • Creative directors Heidi Kesselman and Anthony Cassidy, relocating from Singapore and the UK, respectively. Kesselman's experience includes freelance work for BBH and TBWA, as well as global roles with BBDO. Cassidy brings experience from brands such as Marks and Spencer, Arcadia Group, and Portas.
  • The agency has also added creative resource director Lizzie Slattery, returning to Melbourne after seven years at We Are Social London.
  • Senior creative Jake Blood joins from Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne. He has also held creative roles with M&C Saatchi, DDB Aotearoa NZ and Saatchi & Saatchi NZ. 
  • Copywriter Talia Stone and
  • Art director Zaneta Vincent
Source:
Campaign Asia

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