Month in a Minute: July’s biggest agency stories
Mumbrella wraps up the biggest news of the month across media, creative and PR.
In July, Clemenger BBDO Sydney appointed a new chief of strategy, Coles Liquor had a roster shake up, James Wright prepared to leave Red Agency, Mastercard chose a new PR agency and Spark Foundry landed $10m account win
July’s creative agency wrap:
1. Victorian Transport Accident Commission put its creative account out to tender
The government department at the centre of the multi-award-winning Meet Graham campaign, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC), put its creative account out for tender.
2. Clemenger BBDO Sydney appointed Lilian Sor as its chief strategy officer
Sor returned to Australia for the role after spending the past six years in London, most recently as Grey London’s head of strategy.
3. Micah Walker joined 72andSunny Sydney as executive creative director
Walker was once regarded as one of Australia’s most highly prized creative talents, and was heavily awarded for his work on Lion Nathan beer brands – including Hahn Super Dry – and Coca-Cola’s burn.
4. M&C Saatchi closed its retail advertising division 1440
The closure came just one month after the group merged its sponsorship and experiential business, M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, with its consumer PR business Hidden Characters.
M&C Saatchi Group is closing its retail division 1440
5. BWM Melbourne’s executive planning director Catherine Heath exited the company
Heath left the business at the end of last week.
WPP’s JWT won the Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor account while Spinach won the Liquorlad brand.
July’s PR agency wrap:
Red Agency is now on the hunt for a new CEO with Wright departing at the end of the year.
2. The 6AM Agency’s ECD Nitin Mistry and head of social Sarah Bell quit
The duo resigned from the agency after its CEO Adam Washington exited just weeks before
3. Eleven won Mastercard’s Australasia PR account
Weber Shandwick previously held the account locally and Mumbrella understands will continue to work with the brand in other global markets.
4. Ben Naparstek departed Edelman for a new role as Audible’s original content boss
Naparstek joined Edelman one year ago and will now handle the development of original audio shows, series and dramas by Audible.
5. Avis Budget Group appointed Red Agency to its PR account
In Australia and New Zealand, Avis Budget Group also owns car rental brands Payless and Apex, which Red Agency will also be responsible for.
6. Liquid Ideas won Universal Sony Home Entertainment’s PR account and hired six new employees
The PR agency now handles Universal Sony Home Entertainment’s communications, publicity, influencer marketing, and content accounts.
July’s media agency wrap:
1. Spark Foundry won Peters Ice Cream’s $10m media account
Mumbrella understands Initiative were also involved in the pitch process.
2. Dentsu X retained the Australia Post media account
The agency now handles Australia Post’s strategy, planning, trading and investment, performance and social media for the brand.
3. Media agency bosses responded to the Nine and Fairfax merger
Australia’s media agency bosses have responded positively to the Fairfax and Nine merger.
4. Initiative appointed David Lee as its national head of digital partnerships
Lee will now take responsibility for the agency’s content marketing, media partnerships and measurement of its digital campaigns.
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