Sam Buchanan. Credit: IMAA
The Independent Media Agencies Australia has struck 35 group deals for its members in 2026, including five new partnerships spanning AI tools and live-stream commerce.
The new partners are marketing technology company Exact AI, Live Commerce Australia, global registration and legal protection specialists Ideas Union, AI narrative intelligence platform Pulse Labs, and Google AI Overviews brand-mention solution Pearch.
Now in its fifth year, the group deals program gives IMAA members discounted access to industry tools, insurance, research platforms, analytics products, recruitment services and training programs.
IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan said the deals gave independent agencies access to scale they couldn't otherwise afford.
"These group deals are one of the most powerful ways that our members can unlock scale,” he said.
“By providing access to world-class technology, research, training and business services at significantly reduced costs, we're helping to level the playing field, driving operational efficiencies and cost savings, but also empowering our members to invest more in talent, innovation and delivering stronger outcomes for clients.”
Sonia Marine, Nielsen Australia commercial director and head of agencies, said budget constraints had historically locked independent agencies out of premium planning tools.
"Nielsen is changing the game and levelling the playing field with solutions tailored specifically for IMAA members," Marine said.
The full list of 35 deals covers insurance through Gallagher Insurance and Maple Insurance, including professional indemnity, cyber liability and business travel cover, alongside research, recruitment, analytics and ad verification services.
The program also retains the world-first trade credit insurance deal brokered in 2021, which protects members against bad debts.
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