The last month saw some big accounts change hands.
AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from the fortnight.
Accenture Song takes Optus media and creative accounts
The Optus media and creative accounts have gone to Accenture Song’s new media unit and its creative arm Droga5.
And Apparent was appointed specialist B2B creative partner and production incumbent BRX will remain the production partner under an expanded scope.
Felicity Ross, chief corporate affairs & marketing officer at Optus, said the telco is looking to accelerate its ability to execute with impact, efficiently and with a simplified approach.
Optus pointed to Droga5’s "world-class creativity" together with Accenture Song Media’s "powerful" media capability.
Optus also thanked Emotive, UM and M&C Saatchi’s Yes Agency for their partnership, dedication and the impact over the past decade.
OMD was appointed media agency of record for sportswear company Under Armour in the Asia-Pacific region, following a six-month pitch process involving multiple holding companies.
The appointment covers brand and performance media planning and buying in China, Korea, and South APAC, which includes Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.
OMD was selected for its ability to combine brand and performance capabilities within one team, with particular strength in China’s social and ecommerce media landscape.
It follows OMD’s 2023 appointment as media agency of record for Under Armour in North America and EMEA.
Assembled Media wins Jayco pitch
Jayco Australia appointed Assembled Media to run digital media activity for both the Jayco and Let’s Go Motorhomes brands across Australia and New Zealand.
Assembled won the business in a competitive pitch against three agencies.
Scott Jones, head of sales and marketing at Jayco, said it’s the agency’s expertise in data-led strategies and audience intelligence that will play a critical role in supporting Jayco’s innovation and growth across the region.
“We’re confident this partnership will not only elevate our digital presence but also help us connect with new generations of travellers across Australia and New Zealand,” Jones said.
Vodafone creative account out to pitch
Vodafone is still on the hunt for a new creative agency, AdNews revealed.
The incumbent is Publicis’ Saatchi & Saatchi. Thinkerbell has also worked with the brand.
A Vodafone spokesperson confirmed a closed pitch is currently underway.
It is not known whether Saatchi & Saatchi has chosen to re-pitch but AdNews understands Publicis’ Starcom will remain Vodafone’s media agency.
The media account for hardware chain Bunnings went to PHD, according to insiders.
The account has been held by Initiative, which retained the business following a pitch against Ikon Communications in 2010.
PHD has declined to comment and Bunnings says it is not yet ready to make an announcement.
“Bunnings is working through a process to appoint a media agency partner,” a Bunnings spokesperson said.
George P Johnson wins Officeworks pitch
Retailer Officeworks appointed George P Johnson (GPJ) ANZ as its strategic experience marketing agency, following a competitive pitch.
The agency will deliver key internal business events, including the annual Year Beginning Meeting and Awards Celebrations.
GPJ is part of Project Worldwide, an independent, global network of wholly owned creative agencies.
AdNews also revealed frozen food company McCain has put its creative pitch on hold.
The account went to pitch in January.
Cummins&Partners has held the creative spot since 2017, while PHD Australia remains McCain's media agency since its appointment in February 2024.
Agency Next Door wins Taylors Wines pitch
Agency Next Door (A.N.D) has been appointed creative agency of record for Taylors Wines following a competitive pitch.
The Burleigh Heads, Queensland, based agency independent will lead the development and launch of a global brand platform and refreshed creative positioning for Taylors.
Taylors Wines CMO Tanya Marler said A.N.D impressed the team with a compelling blend of strategic insight and culturally resonant creativity.
The new Taylors creative platform will be unveiled in early August across Australia and New Zealand.
Avenue C has partnered with AMP to lead its media planning and buying, following a competitive pitch.
The remit excludes search and affiliate marketing, which will remain in-house.
The move marks a shift in AMP’s marketing strategy, as the financial services group looks to align brand and performance across its media activity.
AMP chief marketing officer Tina Cleary said Avenue C stood out during the pitch for its strategic approach and understanding of the business.
The win adds to Avenue C’s recent run of new business.
Media33 wins The Body Shop pitch
The Body Shop named independent Media33 as its media agency of record in Australia, following a competitive pitch process.
Media33 will handle media strategy, planning and buying, along with content development and influencer management across all paid channels, including digital, social and traditional media.
The agency’s remit includes restoring The Body Shop’s brand voice and presence in the local market.
The partnership starts Tuesday, July 1.
Sparro by Brainlabs wins Metagenics
Digital marketing agency Sparro by Brainlabs was chosen as the full-service media partner for wellness company Metagenics ANZ and its consumer brands Inner Health and Ethical Nutrients.
Metagenics is a provider of practitioner-formulated supplements in Australia and New Zealand.
The win follows a competitive pitch process.
Metagenics joins Sparro by Brainlabs portfolio including Caruso’s Natural Health, HealthEngine and Heritage Brands.
The agency now manages more than $250 million in media spend annually.
Publicis Groupe took another huge client from WPP, this time the multinational food producer Mars, an account valued at $US1.7 billion.
The France-based global advertising company has been appointed from January 2026 to lead media, production, paid social and influencer and connected commerce capabilities.
IPG’s Weber Shandwick will oversee public relations and Omnicom will continue to lead brand creative, which was not part of the review.
The outcome of the Mars pitch will see the new agency ecosystem, One Mars, implemented across the two largest businesses of Mars: Mars Snacking and Mars Petcare.
Mars Food & Nutrition will join Snacking and Petcare, shifting its media business to Publicis.
Alt/Shift Brisbane wins Y Australia pitch
Independent agency alt/shift/ announced a group of new clients including The Y Australia, TIQ, TEQ and 99 Bikes.
After a competitive pitch process, The Y Australia appointed alt/shift/ Brisbane for its national brand reset.
Alt/Shift Brisbane also rolled out 99 Bikes' new OOH (out-of-home) brand campaign.
Following successful tender processes, alt/shift/ has been appointed to TIQ’s MarCom and Event Services panel.
They were also reappointed to TEQ’s PR Panel.
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