News Bulletin: Ex-Initiative MD resurfaces; PacMags management change; Accenture buys big in UK

By AdNews | 30 November 2016
 
Karmarama

Fisher joins indy
Independent agency Hatched Media has added ex-Initiative Melbourne MD, Stephen Fisher, to its management team in the role of GM. Fisher joins the agency after leaving Initiative earlier this year. Hatched has seen “significant growth” in 2016 with the addition of several clients and it was also recently included in BRW Fast Starters 2016 list. Fisher says there is no doubt the independent agency space is flourishing, with clients looking for partners “with both the agility and smarts” that the sector is able to offer. Hatched Media’s current client roster include the likes of Dairy Australia, Sensis, Fernwood Fitness, Dennis Family Corporation, Funlab (Strike Bowling & Skyzone), Village Cinemas, Retail Zoo (incl. Boost Juice & Cibo Espresso),Huawei and more.

Related: Ensemble boss Mel Fein takes Initiative CEO spot

Pacific Magazines bolsters senior management
Pacific Magazines has bolstered its senior management team, promoting Louisa Hatfield to GM of entertainment and family and Wendy Moore to GM of homes and food. The appointments follow Pacific Magazines restructure under six defined categories of food, family, home, fashion, beauty and health. Since June 2014, Hatfield has been editor-in-chief of New Idea. Moore was previously editor of Home Beautiful.

Related: Bauer Media in talks to buy PacMags?

Accenture continues acquisition spree
Consulting firm Accenture has bought one of the largest independent creative and communications agency in the UK, Karmarama – which has 250 staff. Accenture says the acquisition strengthens the ability of Accenture Interactive, part of Accenture Digital, to create and deliver integrated customer experiences to brands in the UK 'and beyond'. While it's a UK buy, Brian Whipple, head of Accenture Interactive, says the move will help expand its 'global capabilities' across experience, marketing, content and commerce in creative and mobile. Karmarama develops advertising campaigns, data-driven content and mobile platforms “to build immersive consumer experiences, ensuring that creativity is embedded across all aspects of a brand”. Notable clients include the BBC, Confused.com, Honda, Just Eat and Unilever. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Karmarama is the latest in a series of acquisitions. In April this year it acquired a majority stake a full-service digital agency in Japan. Prior to that it bought an independent Brazilian digital agency; a set of independent digital agencies serving Hong Kong and Greater China; an Austin, Texas-based creative technology studio and a Swedish provider of digital content and commerce solutions.

Related: Consultants moving in on agency business

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