Credit: Clay Banks via Unsplash
AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from the fortnight.
Woolworth's Australia and New Zealand is pitching for a lead creative agency, AdNews revealed.
The incumbent is M+C Saatchi, which has held the account since 2017.
M+C Saatchi has declined to contest the account, AdNews understands.
“We have commenced an RFP process for a lead creative agency partner for Woolworths Australia and New Zealand," a Woolworths spokesperson told AdNews.
"We continue to work with our existing partners throughout this process.”
According to Nielsen, Woolworths is in the top 10 in Australia when it comes to advertising budgets.
Sunday Gravy joins KFC creative roster
Sunday Gravy has joined KFC's creative portfolio, joining Special, Ogilvy, media agency Essencemediacom and social-creative agency We Are Social.
The agency will be parting ways with Nando's since winning the account in 2023 from incumbent BWM Dentsu.
“While we have loved working with Nando’s, our working relationship with them is now winding down," a Sunday Gravy spokesperson told AdNews.
"We’re loving working on the KFC brand and enjoying creating some great work together.”
Virgin Australia reviews media account
Virgin Australia is reviewing its media buying account, putting the business into pitch and opening the door for agencies.
“We can confirm we are undertaking a review of our media buying agency,” a Virgin Australia Group spokesperson told AdNews.
The review covers both Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer, with PHD the incumbent agency across both brands after winning the account in 2019.
AdNews understands a group of media buying agencies has already been selected to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP).
The process forms part of the group’s standard governance and procurement approach for retained agencies.
WPP Media takes BYD Australia account
WPP Media has picked up the Australian media planning and buying account for Chinese electric vehicle brand BYD following a competitive pitch.
The win displaces independent agency Yango, which had held the media account since 2024.
AdNews understands the account moved at the start of April.
BYD built its early Australian presence on minimal paid advertising, relying largely on earned and owned media to sell its first 15,000 vehicles locally.
The brand sought from the outset to sidestep traditional advertising models, expanding from a single model to a full range that required increasingly sophisticated audience segmentation.
RCJ wins Melbourne Royal Show media account
Melbourne Royal has appointed RCJ as media agency partner for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show.
RCJ will lead integrated media and digital strategy for the show, targeting earlier consideration, broader reach and ticket sales conversion.
Carlos Correa, chief executive of RCJ, said the agency would apply a full-funnel, audience-led approach across media and digital.
"The Melbourne Royal Show is one of the most loved and recognisable events in Victoria," Correa said.
"We're proud to partner with the team as they shape the 2026 Show, using a full-funnel, audience-led approach across media and digital to help drive attendance, build momentum early and ensure the Show continues to thrive for future generations."
WPP wins global creative pitch for Henkel Consumer Brands
WPP has been awarded the consolidated global creative and production account for Henkel Consumer Brands, including Persil, Schwarzkopf and Syoss, following a competitive pitch over more than 12 months.
The win builds on WPP's existing consolidated European media business for the German multinational chemical and consumer goods company.
WPP Open, the company's agentic marketing platform, will serve as the strategic backbone for Henkel's marketing structure across creative, production and media.
"This win is a powerful proof point that our Elevate28 strategy is working," said Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP.
TAG wins Fresho creative and digital account
Order management platform Fresho has appointed TAG to lead its digital advertising and creative strategy across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), UK and US markets.
TAG will deliver a data-led acquisition strategy, designed to enhance creative performance and drive scalable digital impact.
Fresho director Nick Beattie said TAG’s strategic approach and expertise in performance marketing made the consultancy a natural fit.
“As we continue to grow across ANZ, the UK and the US, we need a partner who can combine sharp creative thinking with rigorous performance execution,” Beattie said.
alt/shift// wins El Jannah account
Lebanese-Australian restaurant group El Jannah has appointed independent agency alt/shift/ to manage its social media across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, as the brand expands into new markets in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
alt/shift/ will handle content strategy, creation and community management, developing always-on content and reactive social moments for the charcoal chicken chain.
"Social is the front door to our brand and increasingly the first interaction new customers have with El Jannah," said Adam Issa, chief marketing officer at El Jannah.
"As we expand into new markets across NSW, VIC and QLD, we needed a partner who understood both the cultural depth of the brand and the pace of social."
Free.studio wins Betty’s Burgers pitch
Betty's Burgers has appointed free.studio to lead the next stage of its brand work, following a competitive pitch.
"I freakin' love Betty's. Brilliant product, brilliant people, and a pitch that was honestly a joy to be part of,” said free.studio founder, Michael McConville.
“Burners was the first exercise for us together, and it told us everything we needed to know - that this is a team who genuinely cares about the work and each other, and who'll give a good idea the space it deserves to live in the real-world, across every part real people are likely to come across.
"That's often the rare bit. We’re chuffed-to-bits, knowing what’s coming up.”
The scope covers strategy, creative and the entirely integrated campaign that carries it, developed alongside Betty's in-house team.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.