Credit: Clay Banks via Unsplash
AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from the fortnight.
BMW creative account out to pitch
BMW Group is pitching its Australian creative account.
The incumbent is Clemenger BBDO, which has worked on the account since 2018.
“BMW Australia can confirm that a review is currently underway, however we do not provide further information on included agencies nor comment on the process relating to the evaluation," a BMW spokesperson told AdNews.
Clemenger retained the business following a review in 2022, with Colenso retaining the business in New Zealand.
The agency drove away with the BMW creative account following a competitive pitch in 2018.
BMF has been appointed lead creative agency for Superloop, Australia's fixed network and a challenger telco, following a competitive pitch process.
The incumbent was Leo Australia, which has worked on the account since 2023, alongside Zenith, its media agency.
“We're excited to partner with BMF as we continue building one of Australia's most compelling telco brands,” said Superloop chief marketing officer, Ben Colman.
“Throughout the pitch process, BMF demonstrated a strong understanding of the Superloop business and the category challenge.”
Tender for Brisbane billboards
Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads has opened a tender for advertising rights at two Brisbane roadside sites, AdNews revealed.
The tender offers a 10-year licence to install and manage billboards at the Tora Street overpass at Upper Mount Gravatt and outside Holland Park West Busway Station, following TMR's advance notice of the opportunity in June.
The successful supplier will install two billboards facing opposite directions of traffic on the Tora Street overpass, plus a single sign facing northbound traffic on the Holland Park corridor.
Digital format isn't guaranteed at either site.
Dig has been appointed Soul Origin’s lead strategic and creative partner following a competitive pitch process.
The agency is leading the brand’s creative and strategic direction across out-of-home, digital, social, radio, and activations, as well as utilising the assets across instore menu boards.
“Soul Origin has been serving specialty coffee and fast, healthy food in food courts and airports for over 14 years, serving over 22 million customers per year,” said Dig managing director Lisa Ramsey.
“It really is the destination for great food and drinks with no compromises."
The appointment follows Soul Origin’s 2025 win at the QSR Media Conference & Awards 2025, where the brand was recognised with the Best Brand Transformation Award.
South Australia seeks agencies for council marketing
LGA Procurement is seeking agencies to join a new marketing, communications and creative services panel that will be available to 68 South Australian councils and other local government entities, AdNews revealed.
The tender covers five categories: marketing and advertising; creative services and video production; digital and web; communications and community engagement; and event management.
Agencies can bid for individual categories or the full panel, and can nominate specific regions rather than offering services across the whole state.
The panel will operate from November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2029, with LGA Procurement holding options to extend the arrangement twice for two years, giving it a potential seven-year term.
The Digital Picnic appointed digital agency for ReFil
The Digital Picnic has been appointed lead digital agency for protein snack brand ReFil, handling its digital and social marketing in Australia.
The Melbourne-based agency will oversee strategy, creative, content and performance reporting as ReFil builds its presence in the FMCG market.
Its work will include developing the brand’s social presence, testing creative and supporting retail growth and supermarket ranging.
ReFil is targeting consumers seeking convenient nutrition without the stereotypes associated with traditional performance nutrition.
Its creative direction will use fashion and editorial aesthetics to position the product as an everyday snack for active lifestyles.
Destination Byron puts Byron Fest account up for pitch
Destination Byron is seeking a creative, branding or marketing agency to develop the brand for Byron Fest, a winter festival planned for 2027 to showcase Byron Bay's arts, culture, food, wellness, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Destination Byron, an industry-led volunteer organisation, secured funding through the NSW Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and Night-Time Economy initiatives to establish the event.
Byron Shire has no dedicated destination marketing budget of its own, and project funding for the brand work is limited; agencies willing to contribute part of their services on a pro bono or reduced-fee basis are encouraged to apply.
"This is an opportunity to help create something enduring for one of Australia's most recognised destinations," a Destination Byron spokesperson said.
The Royals wins Ovolo Hotels creative account
Ovolo Hotels has appointed independent agency The Royals to lead a reset of the hotel group’s masterbrand strategy and the launch of its newly transformed Sydney flagship, following a competitive pitch.
At the centre of the partnership will be the transformation of Ovolo Sydney, Woolloomooloo, which is undergoing a redevelopment ahead of its planned February 2027 relaunch.
The Royals will work on its positioning, brand architecture, guest experience strategy and comms, before translating the strategy into a creative platform and launching campaign for Ovolo Sydney.
“This is a critical but exciting point in Ovolo’s evolution,” said Ovolo Hotels chief operating officer, Shivang Jhunjhnuwala.
“We’re on a mission to build one of the world’s most distinctive independent lifestyle hotel brands.”
The Thoughtful Agency appointed to Big Red Group
Big Red Group has appointed The Thoughtful Agency to oversee affiliate marketing strategy across its portfolio of brands including RedBalloon, Adrenaline, Experience Oz and Everything New Zealand.
Big Red Group is Australia and New Zealand's experience network, spanning adventure, travel, lifestyle and corporate gifting. The partnership reflects the company's plans to expand its digital footprint and drive growth through affiliate marketing.
"We are delighted to welcome The Thoughtful Agency as our affiliate-marketing partner,” said John Boris, president of Big Red Group.
Their proven expertise in performance-led affiliate marketing is a perfect complement to our industry leading marketing team and ambition to extend our reach and deepen engagement across our brands.”
BFJ Digital to lead Ekka digital strategy
BFJ Digital has been appointed digital partner for The Ekka, as the Royal Queensland Show targets 450,000 visitors for its 150th anniversary.
The Ekka, Queensland's largest annual event, runs until August 16 and attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year.
BFJ Digital will manage Google Ads, programmatic advertising, social media, EDM and SMS activity, with the aim of reaching new audiences, increasing awareness and driving ticket sales.
BFJ Digital founder and managing director Ben Henzell said the agency would help the event adapt its digital strategy while retaining its heritage.
"To be trusted with the digital strategy of an event that has been bringing Queenslanders together for a century and a half is an incredible privilege,” he said.
Today the Brave wins Law Partners creative media pitch
Today the Brave has been appointed creative and media partner for Law Partners, following a competitive pitch.
The agency will handle brand strategy, creative, media planning and buying as Law Partners moves into its next phase of growth and brand evolution.
Law Partners has built its brand over more than two decades, helping Australians navigate life after injury or illness.
The partnership aims to strengthen the firm's market position while building a stronger emotional connection with clients at difficult times in their lives.
Jane Merrick, chief growth officer at Law Partners, said the firm wanted a partner that understood its ambition and could connect meaningfully with its clients.
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