Confusion surrounds status of TBWA\Adelaide
TBWA has maintained its Adelaide office is operational, despite growing evidence to the contrary.
Launched in July 2018, TBWA\Adelaide was created to service the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) account. The then $4.95 million account was won by TBWA\Melbourne a couple months prior, over 35 other agencies including the incumbent, KWP, who held the account for 20 years.
The Melbourne branch’s account win caused a stir in the local market, and was labelled “an absolute disgrace” by Adelaide-based agencies. At the time, the Adelaide Advertising and Design Club said the city had become “the laughing stock of the Australian advertising industry” with accounts being serviced by eastern Australia. It called for local agencies to work with local clients. In response, TBWA\Adelaide was created.
Disorganised company, had to chase and chase payment.
The pirate ship is facing stormy seas. After a tough award season, things are looking rough—missed projections, clients exploring other options, and a few crew members eyeing the lifeboats. It’s a challenging time ahead.
Lots of great people were at TBWA\Adelaide. But there was no leadership at all from what I heard.
Lots of recruiters are repping TBWA Melb staff looking to move. Not a great time to move but when you’re between a rock and a hard place you sometimes don’t have a choice. Lean in TBWA and keep your people!!
What’s clear rn is that the agency landscape is in a really tough place.