Industry body Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) has tied the knot with Independent Media Agencies of New Zealand (IMANZ) through an affiliate program agreement.
IMANZ will now be considered an international affiliate of the IMAA, enabling the association to tap into the IMAA’s initiatives and policies to help in the set-up, commercialisation, brand usage and governance.
IMANZ members will be able to leverage the IMAA’s education initiatives, with plans also underway to explore regional group deals.
Like the IMAA, the IMANZ is a not-for-profit industry association, developed and run by New Zealand independent media agency leaders.
Launched last year, IMANZ has more than 40 members, and nearly 20 media partners including global businesses JCDecaux, LinkedIn, Meta, Sky, TikTok and Warner Bros Discovery.
IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan said the body is thrilled to launch its first affiliate offering with a fellow national independent media agency body.
"We’re looking forward to seeing the benefits of a strong regional alliance," Buchanan said.
“Obviously there is synergy between our two organisations - we both have the same objectives to advocate for independent media agencies in our respective regions.
"This affiliation is an opportunity to establish a strong, united regional community, and harness the benefits of collaboration, including increased expansion in these markets.”
IMAA chair Jacquie Alley said the partnership symbolises not only the power of the IMAA on the global stage, but the general swell of the independent agency movement.
"I’m incredibly proud of the IMAA’s legacy in Australia and how that movement is now being felt and emulated worldwide," Alley said.
"The IMANZ becoming an affiliate of the IMAA demonstrates the significant strength of independent media agencies - they are a force to be reckoned with in the global media market.”
IMANZ general manager Kath Mitchell said this is an important step in the evolution of the IMANZ.
"We’ve been heartened by the strong show of support since our launch in September last year, already adding new members and partners," Mitchell said.
"Our agreement with the IMAA is a strategic move to strengthen our organisation, while also leveraging the impressive foundations and initiatives the IMAA has established.
"We look forward to working closely with Sam, Jacquie and the IMAA to create a true regional indie agency powerhouse.”
IMANZ chair Alex Radford said he has long been impressed by the work of the IMAA.
"This affiliation is an opportunity for the IMANZ to work handin-hand with the IMAA to further buoy the sector by developing a united, regional independent community," Radford said.
"As an organisation, our mission is to advocate and further the work of our members - we know there is strength in numbers and we’re confident that working alongside the IMAA will help both Australian and New Zealand indie agencies soar to new heights.”
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