Godfather of effectiveness headlines CommsCouncil strategy course
CommsCouncil is running its IPA Strategic Planning course is running this week in Sydney and Melbourne. The three-day course kicked off on 4 September, and will be headlined by “the Godfather of effectiveness” Peter Field - a globally renowned expert in creative effectiveness. The Strategic Planning course is in its second year in Australia and is being chaired by M&C Saatchi's Justin Graham and AJF Partnership’s Pieter-Paul von Weiler. Targeted at people in agencies with more than five years experience, the course is designed to arm future leaders of the industry with the skills they need to develop effective brand strategies for clients.
Angela Clark exits ABC
Angela Clark, who headed up the ABC's digital network has resigned. In a post on LinkedIn Clarke outlined her plans to move back to the commerical sector after four years at the public broadcaster. It's not clear what role she will take on, nor who will replace her. She said: "I’m not naive enough to think that the marathon that is the ABC’s digital transformation is anything but ‘just begun’. But I am confident that the ABC has the right foundations, team and strategy in place and is executing on its vision in a way that will ensure the journey is successful."
Football Federation of Australia switches
Switch Digital has become the digital agency partner for Football Federation of Australia (FFA), the governing body of football in Australia. The account previously sat with MediaCom. It will manage all digital media investment and assist the FFA to form closer connections with fans through digital media. The account will cover digital marketing of the Hyundai A-League, the Socceroos and Matildas, and FFA grassroots programs.
Havas and Red's strategic moves with Red Guerilla
PR, social and experiential agency, Red Agency and Havas Village, have appointed Chieftain Communications founder Steve Fontanot as the new GM of experiential arm Red Guerilla. He replaces GM Nigel Hickey who exited the business in July. A key part of Fontanot's remit will be to build the brand experience and activation hub of the Havas Village. He'll work alongside Francis Coady, GM of the recently launched HS&E business. See here for Havas 'wakes up to the beast' – launches sports unit. Red Agency Group CEO and Havas COO, James Wright, says it's been making a number of “strategic moves” across the Havas Group to make it stronger this year.
Adblocker plans thwarted over net neutrality
According to the BBC, a European Union agency has ruled that UK mobile network Three's plans to offer adblockers would violate 'net neutrality'. Three has already trialled blockers for banners and pop-up adverts. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (Berec) said that telcos "should not block, slow down, alter, restrict, interfere with, degrade or discriminate advertising when providing an IAS (internet access service)". Earlier in the year Three said the measures would improve its customers' experiences of receiving ads on mobile devices, rather than do away with adverts altogether.
Amazon's focus group for new TV shows
Following its $1 billion acquisition of Twitch Interactive, which has a “highly engaged audience of 10 million daily users”, Amazon is using the social video platform and community for gamers to test out TV content. According to Ad Age, Amazon streamed two original TV show pilots produced by its own studios on the gaming website. It says the first-time move highlights how Twitch can potentially be used to advantage against video-streaming rival Netflix, giving Amazon a vast audience on which to test new shows before committing to producing entire seasons. Both Amazon and Netflix produce original programs to attract customers with exclusive content.
Meet the bachelors
A total of 16 bachelors will be gunning for Bachelorette, Georgia Love, in the new season of Ten's The Bachelorette Australia, which kicks off on 21 September. Ranging from age 26-35, this year’s bachelors hail from both city and country with Queensland being the state best represented, with six bachelors hailing from the Sunshine State. These include marketing company CEO Aaron, medical sales rep Clancy, personal trainer Dale, sales professional Jake, entrepreneur Rhys and employment coach Tommy. Miner Ben, industrial designer Courtney, marketing manager Matty J and electrician Sam are the four bachelors from NSW. From Victoria there's entrepreneur Carlos, mechanical plumber Lee and security specialist Matt D. Firefighter Cam and sailing coach Ryan have crossed the Nullabor from Western Australia to look for love. And wellness coach Jay is the South Australian Bachelor.
Do you know marketers Aaron and Matty? Drop us a line if so.
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