Agencies take the stage on the BRW Innovative Companies 2015 rankings
Agencies have appeared on the list of BRW's most Innovative companies for 2015.
Melbourne-based creative design agency Buzz came in at number nine on the list, after being acknowledged for the conceptualisation, design and development of a blanket made of 100% recycled plastic bottles for airline passengers.
Clemenger BBDO came in at number 13 on the list, also picking up a category award for best marketing innovation.
It was followed by Initiative Australia at 17, picked for its development of a bespoke optimisation tool called LogIQ.
BRW said: "Initiative Australia developed a bespoke optimisation tool called LogIQ. This tool automatically ingests external client data and uses Initiative’s own software and algorithm to determine which media choices have been more effective.
"Depending on the client, Initiative are able to generate 8-15% additional sales for the same marketing spend, by optimising factors such as publisher, tactic, creative message, format, and search terms.”
M&C Saatchi came in at number 18 for its work with Clever Buoy including its work getting it to public by October this year.
Multi Channel Network (MCN) also pulled in at 36 for its MCN Programmatic TV trading market.
Hearing aid solution Planet Innovation took the top spot in the rankings followed by MYOB at number two.
Nine to sell Willoughby site for $147.5m
Nine Entertainment Co has agreed to sell its Willoughby site for $147.5m to Hong Kong property investor, Euro Properties.
The sale will complete in two years, after which Nine will be able to remain on the site under a lease for a futher three years. After that time, it will re-locate to new premises.
Net cash proceeds after tax are expected to be around $135m, with pre-tax annual lease costs of approximately $10m from completion.
The agreement is subject to FIRB approval and other standard completion requirements.
UnLtd hunts for first CEO
Leading not-for-profit philanthropic foundation UnLtd is on the hunt for its first CEO.
The foundation, which represents the local media, marketing and advertising industry, have had a a year of unprecedented growth, with a 400 per cent lift in grant applications from the youth charity sector.
UnLtd Chairman, Kerry McCabe, said the the CEO will be expected to implement initiatives that aim to achieve $10 million in annual revenue by the end of 2017, as well as boosting the mentoring and volunteering programs which secure more than $3.8 million each year to selected charity partners.
UnLtd has raised more than $12 million for disadvantaged children since it launched in 2013, and now supports more than 64 charities.
Mark Latham parts company with The Australian Financial Review
Former Labor opposition leader Mark Latham has resigned as columnist for the Australian Financial Review, following what the newspaper has called “controversy over his views on feminism and other social issues."
AFR editor-in-chief Michael Stutchbury has denied the newspaper sacked Latham.
"Mark has been a provocative and highly readable columnist for the Financial Review," Mr Stutchbury said. "He has been both loved and hated by readers – sometimes by the same ones at different times.”
The parting of company comes after various controversies, including his criticism of Australian of the Year Rosie Batty and a defamation lawsuit by former Fairfax writer Lisa Pryor.
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