AdNews wraps up the biggest pitch news and wins from the fortnight.
GroupM, UM and Accenture are the final shortlist for top ten advertiser Optus' media pitch, AdNews can reveal.
The media pitch is run in tandem with the creative pitch. Both are expected to come to an outcome by June.
The telecommunications company's incumbent media agency is IPG's UM.
Insiders say Accenture is the frontrunner for the media account but some believe it is a two horse race between GroupM and UM.
Others say Optus might be looking to appoint a bespoke agency model, similar to competitor Telstra which created +61.
WPP creates bespoke influencer agency after L’Oréal win
French beauty giant L’Oréal has appointed bespoke agency WPP Beauty Tech Labs to its advocacy and influencer account across Australia and New Zealand.
The bespoke agency has been created to consolidate L’Oréal’s influencer activity, including all 32 brands such as CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, L’Oréal Paris, Kiehl’s, YSL, Lancôme, NYX, Maybelline, Redken, under one agency.
AdNews reported the pitch in January 2024, the account is understood to be worth $30m.
Previously L’Oreal had more than 25 agencies working on its influencer account.
L’Oreal is one of the largest influencer advertiser in the country and works with over 5000 influencers per year.
Newcastle Greater Mutual Group appoints agencies after pitch
Newcastle Greater Mutual (NGM) Group has appointed agencies after taking its retail creative accounts to pitch, AdNews can reveal.
NGM has re-appointed independent agency Enigma to its Newcastle Permanent account.
And appointed independent It’s Friday to its Greater Bank account.
AdNews revealed the account went up for pitch as “part of a normal review" in November.
Enigma has held the account since 2007 after a three-way creative pitch.
Publicis takes LinkedIn media account
Publicis Media has won the LinkedIn global media account.
Insiders say this includes media planning and buying in Australia.
The appointment comes after former IPG brand R/GA was appointed global strategic creative agency for LinkedIn Ads following a competitive pitch.
The global creative shop, formed 48 years ago, last month went independent in a deal with IPG giving ownership to management and a private equity group, Truelink Capital.
Havas Media wins Chupa Chups, Mentos pitch
Perfetti Van Melle, the global confectionery and gum manufacturer, has appointed Havas Media Network to support Chupa Chups and Mentos in the Australian and New Zealand market, following a competitive pitch.
Part of the brief is to drive planning efficiencies and reduce wastage by installing renewed rigor to the media strategy and by unlocking new value from existing media investments.
Retail chain Big W has appointed 72andSunny its new creative agency partner.
The agency was chosen from a short list of three. The incumbent was M+C Saatchi.
72andSunny will develop Big W’s ongoing brand and creative strategy as well as integrated retail and brand campaigns that extend through earned, social media and the brand experience.
It’s Friday wins Greater Bank pitch
Greater Bank is partnering with independent creative agency It’s Friday to create a new brand platform and vison.
It’s Friday was appointed as the lead creative agency after a competitive pitch.
Slingshot wins two health-focused pitches
Independent Slingshot has been appointed by two health-focused clients to manage media following competitive pitches.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant behind obesity drug, Wegovy, has engaged Slingshot to develop and manage its first consumer campaign in Australia.
The Dry July Foundation, the not-for-profit charity behind the annual Dry July campaign, which has raised over $97 million dollars for people affected by cancer, has appointed Slingshot to provide media services ahead of this year’s Dry July campaign.
Apparent wins Tip Top, Vanuatu Tourism Office and World Surf League
Independent agency Apparent has added several clients to its roster across creative, social, UX and design.
George Weston Foods selected Apparent to shape Tip Top Australia’s social strategy and creative content.
Vanuatu Tourism Office is partnering with Apparent to promote the destination to Australian travellers through creative and for World Surf League, Apparent has re-designed their brand communications.
Mountain experience brand Rhythm Japan will collaborate with the agency on UX and website design to elevate its digital experience.
The Salvation Army partners with Elephant Room
Australian ecommerce performance agency Elephant Room has inked a new partnership with not-for-profit organisation Salvos Stores, the retail arm of The Salvation Army.
The agency will work closely with the Salvos Stores digital and customer experience teams to optimise online customer engagement and streamline their marketing operations.
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