Credit: Clay Banks via Unsplash
AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from the fortnight.
It’s Friday wins URBNSURF creative account
Australia’s surf park operator URBNSURF has appointed independent creative agency It’s Friday its strategic and creative partner, tasked with developing a new brand positioning, design identity, and brand platform.
The appointment follows a competitive pitch process to help with URBNSURF’s next phase of growth.
It’s Friday will lead the creation of a brand platform - spanning brand strategy, visual and verbal identity, and creative expression across all touchpoints.
URBNSURF joins It's Friday list of recent client wins, including Swaggle and Greater Bank.
“It’s Friday impressed us with their strategic clarity and creative thinking - the perfect combination to help us define what’s next for the URBNSURF brand,” said URBNSURF head of marketing, Hayley Wallace.
Global consumer electronics brand Hisense has appointed independent full-service media agency Bench Media key media partner within its integrated ANZ agency village, following a review.
The appointment sees Bench play a key role in integrated, full-funnel media strategy, planning and buying, working alongside Hisense’s broader network of specialist agency partners.
Bench Media was appointed for its integrated, strategy-led approach to media, combining brand and performance under a single planning framework, and its ability to connect global ambition with local execution at speed.
Nate Vella, head of strategy, Bench Media, said the partnership reflects a shared belief that modern media effectiveness comes from consistency, not complexity.
RMIT media account out to pitch
RMIT University has put its media account out to an invitation only pitch, opening up a sizeable education brief as advertising spend edges towards $27 million a year.
Insiders confirmed to AdNews that the university has put the account to market, ending a five-year run for incumbent The Media Store, unless it can retain the business.
The successful agency will oversee RMIT’s media strategy, planning and buying as the institution continues to expand both domestic and international growth.
The review also lands with meaningful spend behind it.
Carat SA wins Journey Beyond media account
Carat South Australia has won the media account for Journey Beyond after a competitive pitch.
The Adelaide-based team will handle media buying for Journey Beyond's 22 travel brands, including The Ghan, Cruise Whitsundays, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef and Monarto Safari Resort.
The win follows Journey Beyond's acquisition of New Zealand coach touring company Grand Pacific Tours in August, its first purchase outside Australia.
Carat South Australia has worked with the South Australian Tourism Commission since 2021.
BMF and FiftyFive win Dementia Australia pitch
Dementia Australia has appointed creative agency BMF and research shop Fiftyfive5, part of Accenture Song, to develop and deliver an evidence-based, integrated national public health awareness and education campaign.
Backed by a two-year funding commitment from the Australian Government, the integrated campaign will focus on educating communities about the long-term risks of head trauma and the importance of early intervention.
Mindbox was appointed Dementia Australia's marketing and media account in 2024.
“This campaign is an opportunity to apply that thinking to an issue that has real impact for individuals, families and communities across the country.” said BMF managing director, Richard Woods.
Digital Minds Group wins Fine Tours Group media account
Fine Tours Group has appointed independent Digital Minds Group to manage its Australian media strategy as it expands its local business.
The destination management company is scaling demand for its Australian travel experiences across domestic and inbound markets.
Digital Minds Group was appointed to strengthen media strategy, improve measurement and optimise investment across digital channels, as competition increases and traveller discovery shifts across search, social, marketplaces and AI-assisted planning tools.
Digital Minds Group said the partnership comes at a critical point in Fine Tours Group’s expansion.
Sod appointed to design Forty Winks website
Melbourne digital agency Sod has been appointed to lead website design for a new digital experience across the Forty Winks network, working with developer SouthPaw.
Sod will handle user experience, user interface and information architecture, while SouthPaw will deliver the build and implementation.
The project aims to improve how customers browse, compare and make purchase decisions online, with accessibility embedded into the design from the outset.
Christian Fish, creative director and founder at Sod, said accessibility was now central to digital customer experience for large brands.
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