McCann makes quintet of hires
McCann Sydney is set to welcome five new faces to the firm.
Ian MacDonald joins as planning director, tasked with running this element of the business alongside fellow planning director, Roshni Hegerman. McCann also has a new group account director in former Banjo and Ogilvy employee Lucy Smith who will work on Uncle Toby's business with executive director, Alex Baker.
Cobie Dellicastelli also assumes the role of digital project director, while Matthew Flinn and Phil Harkness will carry out in-house editing and art director roles for McCann.
The hires are, in part, to support "a growing client base" after the recent wins of Microsoft, Charles Sturt University and Botanica.
Facebook reverse decision on banned blindness ad
Facebook has performed a remarkable volte-face and reversed its decision to ban a hard-hitting ad by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).
In an email to the RNIB, Facebook explained that, after a review, the language used in the spot was compliant.
“As the previous correspondence mentioned, we do not allow ads to directly assert the physical condition of the audience. This ensures that ads promote a safe community and we maintain the trust of the audience on Facebook. However, in this case, the intent is not to assert that the viewer is struggling with blindness, thus the language used in the copy and video are compliant. The ad has been re-approved, and you are able to set them back to active," read the email.
Facebook also apologised for its mistake.
OOH posts 16.8% YTD revenue increase
The out-of-home industry has posted a year-to-date revenue increase of 16.8%, bumping it to a figure of $462.9 million from the $396.3 million total recorded this time last year.
It has also reported double-digit quarterly growth, with net revenue up to $160 million from $141.4 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
“In this fragmented media world, clients are realising that OOH is the one medium they can rely on for reach and visibility, and this shows in our current revenue winning streak which has lasted 21 of 22 quarters since the GFC," said Outdoor Media Association CEO Charmaine Moldrich.
VivaKi bolsters team
VivaKi Australia has announced two new appointments to its Exchange team.
ZenithOptimedia group investment director Jodi Fraser has been appointed to the position of commercial director, VivaKi Exchange. Fraser’s career spans 14 years in the media and communications industry and includes her role as group investment director at Bohemia, where she directed the agency’s overarching strategy and media sponsorships.
Andrew Joannou will join Fraser’s team as a senior analyst. Joannou leaves MediaVest where he worked with the client team on the Network Ten account.
Nine supports QLD children's hospital
Nine Entertainment’s Nine Cares initiative is turning its focus on the Children's Hospital Foundation in Queensland with a telethon in the state to be held on 17 October.
The telethon will raise funds to help the hospital fund medical research, invest in new equipment and provide comfort, entertainment support and care programs.
Nine Cares is an initiative which brings together the network’s media assets to support Australian charity groups.
Nine CEO David Gyngell said; “Nine Cares is about using our reach and influence to tell their stories to all Australians, providing much needed awareness of the great work they do. Its about the media making a difference, which for us is frankly a no-brainer.”
Woolworths directors step down
Woolworths directors Christine Cross and David Mackay have announced they will retire before the 2015 Annual General Meeting.
Both joined the board in January 2012 as independent non-executive directors.
Woolworths has already announced it is looking to appoint new non-executive directors over the period.
Twitter mulls expanding character limit
Twitter is looking to build a service that will allow users to share tweets longer than the current, classic 140-character limit.
Reports suggest that the topic has been the source of much internal debate at Twitter, which in the past has considered discounting Twitter handles and links from the overall count.
The company - currently being overseen by interim CEO Jack Dorsey - also lifted the 140-character cap on private messages in June.
QMS and Goa announce Melbourne sales agreement
Outdoor companies QMS and Goa have tied up for an exclusive sales agreement which sees QMS represent Goa in the Melbourne market.
Under the arrangement QMS will represent Goa's 25 digital billboards and 280+ static billboards throughout Brisbane and South East Queensland.
QMS CEO, Barclay Nettlefold, said “Goa delivers a quality outdoor portfolio that is complementary to our existing offering in Brisbane and South East Queensland. The addition of GOA’s 25 digital and 280+ static billboards combined with our quality advertising signage, enables us to offer advertisers a market leading position in South East Queensland outdoor media.”
Goa Joint Managing Director, Chris Tyquin said: “Our partnership with QMS for the Melbourne sales representation of Goa, centres around the clear business synergies we share, and the desire and capability to take the businesses forward on the same growth path.”
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