AdNews Live Sydney will return to the stage this month as media, marketing and advertising professionals unpack the challenges and opportunities facing Australia's independent agency landscape.
The half-day conference will feature presentations from media and creative agency heavyweights, alongside CMOs and senior marketers from Uber, Myer, Tourism Tasmania and Michael Hill.
Register to attend here and check out the full program below:
1.00pm Registration
1.30pm Opening Address
1.35pm The Independent Shift: Insights from the other side
Howatson+Company founder Chris Howatson
In just two years, Chris Howatson has created an independent business of scale after an established career in global network agencies. This presentation will delve into the process of scaling a challenger brand in a competitive market including the decisions that shaped its early success, navigating setbacks and transitioning to a new agency model.
1.55pm ‘The best Of both worlds?’ An agency that’s both a multinational and an independent
McCann Australia and HERO owner Ben Lilley
The Australian advertising industry has witnessed several management buyouts of multinationals in recent years. As one of the first powerbrokers to kick this off with the McCann and integrated HERO agency, Ben Lilley unpacks the buyout strategy alongside the evolution of two independent ventures. This session will provide strategic insights into the domestic advertising market and what distinguishes it from the global capitals.
2.15pm The New Guard: Opportunities, challenges and insights from indie's new entrants
RyanCap founder Simon Ryan, New Co. founder Justin Hind and Exceptional Alien co-founder Justin Drape
The competitive landscape for independent agencies is transforming amid a talent wave migrating from agency holding groups and their affiliates. In this panel discussion, the new guard will share their perspectives on the current state of the industry including growth opportunities, what challenges agencies need to prepare for and the future of Australia’s advertising playing field.
2.45pm Afternoon Tea
3.15pm Adland Acquisitions: Scaling an agency and the power of partnerships
Havas Media Group CEO Virginia Hyland
Virginia Hyland discusses how she scaled and built Hyland towards its acquisition by Havas, integrating similar values and philosophies while unlocking a powerful pool of resources and capabilities. This presentation will unlock the pathway to expanding and developing a media agency while retaining its proposition in the increasingly sophisticated advertising landscape.
3.35pm Commerce and creativity: In gut we trust
Special Group partner and CSO Rebecca Stambanis
Guts are all the rage right now. It’s impossible to scroll through your social feed without seeing an article or sponsored post promoting a new gut diet or cleanse. Yet when it comes to our instinctive guts, we are abandoning them at an alarming rate. Nurturing our guts (not just physically but instinctively) is one of the greatest things we can do to nourish our creativity and drive better commercial outcomes.
3.55pm Pitch perfect: Marketers’ perspectives on the agency roster and pitching to win
Myer GM marketing Gemma Hunter, Uber senior director, head of marketing APAC Lucinda Barlow and Michael Hill CMO Jo Feeney, Tourism Tasmania CMO Lindene Cleary
As the Australian pitch market intensifies this year, new business opportunities are ripe for the taking. But what are the do’s, don’t’s and deliverables for independent agencies looking to make their mark in 2023? This panel lineup will explore successful pitch strategies, selection criteria and the latest evolution of agency procurement and pitch briefs.
4.25pm The art of the deal: Acquisitions, mergers and growth in the indie playing field
Pearman Media MD Dominic Pearman, Awaken CEO Chris Parker, Hatched Media CEO Jack Byrne
Strategic acquisitions are contributing to the growth of independent media agencies in Australia, as M&A activity drives full-service capabilities and enhances competitive advantage. In this session, agency pioneers share their experiences and insights into how acquisitions originate, the process of talent and resource integration and scaling a successful independent business.
4.45pm Supplier side: Behind indieland’s growing market share
Pubmatic director of advertising solutions Brittany Lefave, Amobee and Unruly director of growth Lenten Reddy and StackAdapt senior manager of client services Louise Hutley
As partners who work closely with independent agencies, advertising technology leaders are uniquely placed to share their perspectives on the advantages and challenges that operators face in today’s marketplace. This panel session will unearth how the sector has developed in recent years, the needs of independent agencies and where the market is moving next.
5.00pm Closing address and networking drinks
AdNews would like to thank the following event sponsors:
Supporting partners:
Amobee/Unruly, Foxcatcher, Pubmatic and StackAdapt
Associate Partners:
Blis, JustEggs, MIQ and Quantcast
Friend of AdNews:
IMAA
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