Pitch Watch: Afterpay names creative and media; Petbarn appoints media agency; Red Agency scoops four new clients
Mumbrella casts an eye over the major media, creative and public relations pitches at play in market.<
In this wrap-up: Afterpay (creative & media agency); Petbarn (media agency); Red Agency (four new wins); San Churro (creative).
Afterpay appoints new creative and media, launches first digital brand campaign
Retail payments company Afterpay has announced BD Network as its creative agency and has launched the company’s first digital brand campaign. As part of the same pitch process, Afterpay appointed Havas Media as its media agency of record.
The payments company was launched two years ago and offers a four-piece payment instalment option for retail brands.
Gabrielle Wakeman, head of marketing at Afterpay, said the company was looking for an agency that could “cut through the noise” and “differentiate” the brand.
Wakeman said the new brand campaign by BD Network was in line with the brand’s values.
Tom Hoskins, BD Network’s creative partner said the agency was excited to be working with “a category defining business.”
“We look forward to helping drive their brand deeper into Australia’s shopping vernacular,” Hoskins said.
The first campaign by BD Network will run through December.
Petbarn announces national media agency
Pet supplies retailer Petbarn has appointed Vizeum as its media agency.
Vizeum will be responsible for media strategy, and building relationships between the brand and Australia pet owners.
Anne Brown, general manager of retail marketing at Petbarn said the appointment was in line with the brand’s rapid growth.
“We felt it was an appropriate time to seek a fresh vision for our media strategy and believe Vizeum is an ideal partner for our business.”
Travis Day, Vizeum’s managing director described Petbarn as a “future facing organisation.”
“It is a business with a clear vision, a compelling business strategy and an enviable first party data set at their disposal.”
“We are thoroughly enjoying working with the impressive group of people who steer the business and look forward to contributing to their ongoing success.”
Red Agency picks up four new clients
Red Agency has won four new clients across its Sydney and Brisbane offices, including Vast Furniture and Homewares, Cadbury’s 2017 Easter campaign, Addeco and Reckon.
The agency has been engaged to execute a series of PR activities for furniture franchise Vast Furniture.
Brisbane principal, Yasmine Gray, said: “This is an exciting win for Red Agency Brisbane. We have very strong experience with franchises, particularly in the Brisbane office, and have helped many to grow exponentially in recent years.
“Vast has a very clear point of difference, which has helped it to get to where it is today. We will look to help Vast amplify this message in market and will look at a range of creative ways in which people can get to better understand and experience their products.”
In Sydney, Red Agency has been brought on to provide PR and influencer strategy to support Cadbury’s 2017 Easter campaign.
The agency has also been tasked to raise the profile of both Adecco’s general staffing business as well as its business and IT consulting arm Ajilon.
Red Agency has also started working with cloud accounting software company, Reckon.
Red Agency Sydney principal Jackie Crossman said: “Red Agency has had an incredible year, and we have so much more to come in 2017. These wins form part our ongoing growth strategy to increase our national capability and expand our corporate and consumer offering, making Red Agency a major national player in the Australian market.”
San Churro appoints creative agency
Chocolateria chain San Churro has announced GPY&R Melbourne as its creative agency with plans for major growth in 2017.
Geoff Sinclair, CEO at San Churro said GPY&R showed a true understanding of the business and customers.
“They have a clear focus on developing results-driven communications – which we look forward to launching in early 2017,” Sinclair said.
Julian Bell, GPY&R managing partner, said the new appointment was an opportunity for the agency to challenge themselves.
“While the Australian retail food industry is highly competitive, we see enormous potential in the San Churro brand and how it is experienced by customers across every channel,” Bell said.
“We can’t wait to get our teeth stuck in.”
