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AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from across the industry.
Visit Victoria opens creative pitch
Visit Victoria has opened its tender for a creative and strategic partner via a competitive procurement process, beginning with an expression of interest.
The State’s tourism and events body is seeking a partner to support the growth of Victoria’s $46 billion visitor economy through Visit Victoria’s global tourism campaign, Every bit different.
Launched in 2024, the campaign is designed to increase visitation and expenditure in Victoria.
The successful partner would collaborate with Visit Victoria to take the campaign to the next phase in intrastate, interstate and international markets.
ANZ restarts media agency review
Following a temporary hold, ANZ has confirmed it has reinstated its review of the bank’s media agency account in Australia, AdNews can reveal.
“Following a brief pause of our media agency RFP review for Australia, ANZ confirms that we have reinstated the process and all agencies involved have been notified of the next phase,” an ANZ spokesperson told AdNews.
The review, which initially began in August 2025, forms part of a broader assessment of ANZ’s media partnerships across Australia and New Zealand.
ATime&Place wins Polaris creative account
Powersports brand Polaris has appointed independent creative agency ATime&Place as its lead creative partner across Australia and New Zealand, following a competitive pitch.
ATime&Place will lead creative services across brand strategy, advertising, social and experiential activations, with work already underway.
“Polaris is loved by Australians and New Zealanders because it is undeniably brilliant at what it does,” said ATime&Place CEO and co-founder, Adrian Mills.
“It has earned this loyalty through performance, trust and a deep connection to the people who rely on it every day. It’s a privilege to be working with a brand of this stature.”
Polaris joins ATime&Place client wins alongside UniSuper, Mountain Goat, Cobram Estate, Ventia, Global Prime, EnergyAustralia, Deloitte, Suzuki, Swinburne, Dodo and Balter.
Sandbox Media wins SMS Healthcare media account
Sydney independent agency Sandbox Media has won the media account for SMS Healthcare, which operates 16 vision clinics, seven laser centres and a day surgery across Australia.
The group owns brands including Lasersight, Meadownick and Sydney Eye Clinic.
Chief marketing officer Vanessa Wolczak said the agency was selected for its strategic approach and focus on business outcomes.
Sandbox Media CEO Luke Sullivan said the agency had been impressed by SMS Healthcare’s operations.
Adcore wins Selfie Leslie media account
Marketing technology agency Adcore has been appointed by online fashion retailer Selfie Leslie to manage performance media and media mix modelling across North America and Australia.
Under the partnership, Adcore will oversee performance media activity and deploy its media mix modelling solution to support campaign optimisation and measurement across channels.
The agreement will see Adcore apply analytics, cross-channel media strategy and modelling tools to Selfie Leslie’s digital campaigns as the retailer looks to improve performance and scale its e-commerce operations.
Qantas Project Sunrise pitch heats up
Qantas is finalising its creative agency for its 'Project Sunrise' initiative, a 2027 plan to launch ultra-long-haul, non-stop flights from Australia to London and New York using specially configured Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.
The trips are expected to save up to four hours of travel time compared to one-stop flights.
The pitch process is still ongoing, however Droga5 ANZ, Part of Accenture Song, and M+C Saatchi Australia are in the running, AdNews can confirm.
WPP and Publicis win Kenvue global accounts
Kenvue has appointed WPP and Publicis following a global agency review.
WPP will lead creative and production across all brands except Neutrogena, while Publicis will handle media, commerce, healthcare professional and technology support, along with creative and production for Neutrogena.
Before the review, Kenvue’s media account sat primarily with Interpublic Group, through UM, and Omnicom, following its 2023 separation from Johnson & Johnson.
Omnicom’s subsequent acquisition of IPG consolidated the business under a single holding company ahead of the review.
Molasses wins Taylors Wines portfolio
Taylors Wines has appointed FMCG branding studio Molasses across its portfolio of brands.
Molasses will work with Taylors Wines to refine the strategic intent and delivery alongside existing agency partners, 31st and AND, to bring the winery’s refreshed positioning to life through design, campaigns and activations.
Last year, Kaimera was appointed to handle Taylors Wines media account.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with Taylors Wines to help them bring their brands to life, working with their new brand platform ‘For All Time’,” said Molasses co-founder and brand director, Dan Parritt.
Sandbox Media wins InvoCare media account
Sandbox Media has been appointed to the media account for funeral services provider InvoCare.
Sandbox Media chief executive Luke Sullivan said the breadth of InvoCare’s business was a key attraction.
“InvoCare is an incredible Australian business, and it’s a great win to be appointed to their account,” Sullivan said.
“The portfolio of three national brands and 47 state and local brands is extensive, and when you also combine the pets and parks businesses, it really is an exciting and dynamic organisation to work with.”
Sullivan said the agency had already developed a data-led strategy spanning local and national activity.
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