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AdNews wraps up the latest pitch news and wins.
Zenith wins flight centre media account
Flight Centre has appointed Zenith Australia to its media strategy, planning and buying account.
The account will be led by Zenith’s Brisbane office, supporting Flight Centre’s digital, in-store, events and partnership activity.
Zenith Brisbane general manager Kate Lippett said the brand was focused on delivering smart, engaging campaigns.
“It is great to see Flight Centre’s work continue to come from a globalised team of Marketing experts based locally in Brisbane, backed by the nationwide power of Zenith Australia and the broader Publicis Groupe ANZ family,” she said.
Independent agency Apparent has secured the Kinatico media account after a competitive pitch.
Kinatico, a SaaS provider focused on workforce compliance, appointed Apparent to support its transformation from a verification and screening business to a global lifecycle compliance enterprise by 2028.
The latest appointment follows recent Apparent wins, including Optus, Vanuatu Tourism Office, Tip Top Australia and Volkswagen Group Australia across its brands.
“The team demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of not only brand and acquisition, but how to engage a B2B audience on the dry topic, but vital topic of regtech compliance,” Kinatico chief marketing officer, Chantal Walker, said.
Chery, a Chinese car brand, awarded Dentsu its creative media account to Dentsu Creative following a competitive pitch process.
Lucas Harris, Chery Australia COO, said Dentsu’s strategic expertise and creative energy align perfectly with the car maker’s vision.
“We’re excited to welcome Dentsu as our new creative agency partner,” said Harris.
UM was last year appointed media agency of record for Chery.
Wodonga Council media account out to pitch
Wodonga Council has called for pitches from agencies and contractors to handle its media and marketing account.
The tender, issued late last month, seeks providers for advertising, media planning and buying, placement, and related services.
Submissions close at 12pm on Tuesday, July 22.
The contract will support council communications, campaigns and promotional activity. No budget figure has been disclosed.
Wodonga Council does not currently have a dedicated media agency, instead managing communications in-house and working with community groups and local media for distribution.
Clemenger BBDO, DDB Melbourne and TBWA\Melbourne are in the running for the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) creative account, AdNews understands.
The TAC is seeking a Victoria-based, full-service agency to handle strategy, creative and production for its road safety campaigns.
Clemenger BBDO, the incumbent, has held the account since 2014.
It's Friday wins Swaggle pitch
Coles-owned Swaggle Pet Store has appointed It’s Friday as the brand’s lead creative agency.
The creative agency has been tasked with working on a new brand platform and vision for the brand.
Swaggle only recently entered the Pet Retail category, launching in 2024, and features 100 categories of products from more than 190 brands.
The company also offers pet insurance, free vet advice, a repeat delivery program and collecting Flybuys points on every order.
We loved the challenger ambition that Emma Wynne and Chad Burke have for the Swaggle brand,” It’s Friday CEO Pete Bosilkovski said.
Woolworths Everyday Rewards pitches creative account
Woolworths has announced its Everyday Rewards creative and brand strategy account is out to pitch, AdNews revealed.
M&C Saatchi will no longer handle creative duties for Woolworths' Everyday Rewards, ending its role as incumbent on the account since 2017.
The agency remains Woolworths' lead group creative partner across Australia and New Zealand, the retailer confirmed.
M&C Saatchi was appointed agency of record for paid social creative and production in 2022.
Yango wins Amber Tiles media account
Amber Tiles has appointed Yango to manage digital strategy, planning and buying across all channels.
Amber Tiles said it selected Yango based on its media agency experience in the retail sector and its data-led approach.
Yango will work with Amber Tiles’ internal team on integrated campaigns aimed at increasing brand visibility and driving sales.
Senior marketing advisor at Amber Tiles, Michelle Bianchi, said Yango impressed with its strategic thinking and commitment to measurable results.
Kaimera wins Nando's media account
Nando’s has named Kaimera as its media agency of record.
The independent agency, which opened its Melbourne office a year ago, has expanded from a one-person outfit to a seven-strong team.
Kaimera CEO Nick Behr called the Nando’s win a significant milestone.
Nando’s head of brand Tom Blackburn said the decision came down to finding a partner that matched the brand’s energy and ambition.
General manager of the Kaimera Melbourne office, Garth Moring, has previous experience working with Nando’s.
MINT wins jewellery brand Musson
The Mint Partners has added Musson, one of Australia’s jewellery houses, to its client list.
Mint will showcase the transformation of a new dual-purpose location in Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and the opening of their Chatswood Chase flagship retail outlet via a strategic integrated communications campaign.
“Mint’s expertise in the luxury category is finely tuned, we bring a business focussed approach to luxury brands and we are very much looking forward to collaborating with Musson as they enter an exciting new era,” Mint Partners chief executive officer Genevieve Taubman said.
MINT’s current client roster includes Celine, Valentino, Canada Goose, IWC, Tag Heuer, House of Bollinger Champagne, G.H.Mumm and a range of hotels and resorts.
Initiative extends Australian Unity account
Initiative has secured a two-year contract extension with Australian Unity after winning the account in 2022.
The deal, effective immediately, expands the agency's remit to include media services for Australian Unity’s growing home health platform.
"Over the past three years we’ve worked in close alignment to drive real brand growth and realise its ambition to be Australia’s most trusted wellbeing company," said Initiative's head of Melbourne, Megan Davey.
Australian Unity’s head of brand and content, D’arne Buckley, said Initiative had played a key role in reshaping the group’s messaging.
CQUniversity seeks media agency
CQUniversity opened a tender for an international media agency to handle its global advertising campaigns, reinforcing its focus on key overseas markets.
The university is seeking a partner to provide offshore support for media strategy, planning, buying, and execution, aligned with its international student recruitment and branding efforts.
The tender specifically excludes services related to its domestic media strategy.
The tender reflects CQUniversity’s ongoing commitment to expanding its international media presence.
Carat extends South Australia tourism account
Carat South Australia has extended its media partnership with the South Australian Tourism Commission for a fourth consecutive year.
The dentsu agency will continue to handle media strategy and buying for SATC’s winter campaign, targeting increased visitation during the May–August off-peak period.
This year’s campaign, The Simple Pleasures Guide to Winter, was developed by Frame Creative and highlights seasonal experiences under four key themes, Creatures, Flavours, Outings and Stays.
The creative promotes a mix of wildlife encounters, food and wine, winter events, and regional getaways.
Carat SA has delivered a digitally led media approach with an emphasis on performance and audience relevance.
Whippet wins First National Real Estate creative account
First National Real Estate has appointed Melbourne creative agency Whippet to lead its national rebrand.
The network of more than 210 independent real estate offices is undertaking its first comprehensive brand refresh in more than a decade.
The rebrand will see Whippet work closely with First National’s leadership, members, and marketing teams to deliver a new brand strategy, refreshed visual identity and a suite of digital and physical assets.
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