Aegis Media launches innovation unit Jumptank, hires Justin Baird from Google
Media buying group Aegis has launched a business unit designed to drive innovation within the group.
Jumptank will service the clients of Aegis agencies Mitchells, Carat, MPG and the newly relaunched Vizeum, as well as the agencies themselves, with advice on products, technology, client service, campaign activity and pitching.
The unit will be run by Kristian Barnes, who was formerly group MD of MPG and Media Contacts and is the founder and owner of YoungGuns, as chief commercial officer.
A major new signing for Jumptank is Justin Baird, who joins as group innovation director from Google, where he held the role of innovationist.
Other key executives of the founding team are yet another former MPG staffer Ben Cunnington, who joins as group strategy director, and Richard Chapman, founder of PR agency Spark and experiential agency Impact, as group integration director.
Jon White, who worked in a new business role across the Aegis group, joins as group business development director. A creative director and graphic designer – yet to be announced – will also be part of the team.
Jumptank will operate across both Sydney and Melbourne offices.
Aegis insisted that the launch did not mean the end of MPG or Media Contacts, which lost staff to help relaunch Vizeum last month.
Barnes said: “We believe no other marketing group in this region has a core team committed to constantly finding new and better ways to deliver innovation, from our business practices to the strategies and campaigns that we develop for our clients, in this constantly changing market.”
Aegis Media Pacific CEO Luke Littlefield added: “With Jumptank we are bringing together a team of people with a diverse array of skills and experience, with the common goal of applying innovative thinking to media and marketing solutions for our clients. Jumptank will be a catalyst for innovation. ”
“The creation of Jumptank is a significant step for Aegis Media Pacific and marks our commitment and dedication to delivering innovation for our clients and to continuously improve our way of working.”
Great move by Aegis, and a real coup to get Justin on board – well done…
User ID not verified.
With such a great cast of very talented people – their first project could be coming up with a better name… Jumptank ? Please.
User ID not verified.
Innovangelism at its best.
User ID not verified.
So what is this innovation? Seems like they could have a lot to do. Is it content? Is it innvoation through scented paper? I just dont quite understand what they will do?
User ID not verified.
@Nat
I did a search online and Aegis has a Jumptank group in the USA. Based on what I read on that site it looks like innovation is about taking existing ideas and rebranding them as your own. Take a look for yourself: http://jumptank.com .
User ID not verified.
I hope they will start by painting over the ‘yoof’ style grafitti background.
User ID not verified.