Peter Horgan has stepped down as CEO of Omnicom Media Group, Australia and New Zealand, after eight years in the role.

He will remain in position until mid-2025 as the search for his successor is now underway. He will move to the role of chair once the new CEO has been appointed to support successful onboarding.

Horgan’s OMG career has included 15 years as CEO, firstly across OMD Australia before being appointed to lead OMG Australia and New Zealand in 2016.

In addition to building the top media agency group across ANZ, Horgan represented OMG in the industry throughout his 10-year tenure as chair of the Media Federation of Australia.

As CEO, his efforts included driving transparent business practices and forging long-term relationships with blue-chip advertisers on the back of successful client outcomes and talent retention.

Peter Horgan and Tony Harradine

Tony Harradine, CEO of Omnicom Media Group Asia Pacific said: “Horgs has played a key role in elevating OMG’s competitive edge during his time with us, and this transition marks a natural evolution of his commitment to the continued success of our organisation.

“At OMG, we are dedicated to support our leaders in their long-term succession planning strategy. As such, over the last few months, Horgs and I have been working closely to identify the best leadership succession for our Australian and New Zealand businesses.

“We have taken a deliberate approach to ensure the individual aligns with OMG’s values, business ambitions, and possesses the vision to advance our Agency as a Platform proposition.”

Horgan said of his news: “It has been a privilege to lead the exceptional OMG teams across Australia and New Zealand, and I thank you all.

“Nothing is forever, and I’m grateful to Tony for supporting my next chapter. My focus now is to set up OMG for ongoing success,” he added.

Peter Horgan accepting his #1 title from Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham in 2022

Among some of Horgan’s achievements as CEO includes taking the top spot on the Mediaweek Agency 50 in 2022.

At the time, he shared his thoughts on taking the top spot of the Agency 50 list and what reflected of his team and leadership style.

“I have long believed in the power of teams and diversity of skills, but more importantly, diversity of opinion. This has helped us build collaborative structures internally but also with media partners and clients, where everyone is heard, but decisions/recommendations are clear and transparent.

“#1 is a function of leading a scaled business that is seen to operate in a way that is sustainable and respectful of all constituents. If that has helped garner a good impression of the judges, I am grateful,” he added.

See also: Mediaweek Agency 50 lister Peter Horgan on making #1 and his outlook for OMG Australia

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Top image: Peter Horgan and Tony Harradine

Head of podcasts and digital content at Nova Entertainment Rachel Corbett says because podcast audiences take a while to build, Nova “[is] not in the business of being able to wait for three years for a show to really hit its stride.”

“We need to build an audience quickly,” Corbett told Mediaweek.

“[At Nova] we look to bring on board hosts that have an established relationship and strong engagement with their audience.

“Ideally, we want those people who have already invested time with the people that they love on whatever platform it is, and then come across to the podcast. Having those people that we know have built a strong community already is really important when we’re starting a show from scratch.

In September, Nova Podcasts strengthened its reach with 18 to 34-year-old listeners by adding the One Daydream Network’s Just for Girls and Where’s Your Head At? podcasts to its line-up.

Just for Girls and Where’s Your Head At? are created by the newly established One Daydream Network, a podcast production company who produce Australian podcasts across a range of genres.

These signings form the start of a partnership between the One Daydream Network and Nova Entertainment.

“It’s also really important for us to have talent, particularly when we’re looking at commercial potential,” she said.

“We don’t make things that we don’t feel very confident will sell. We are always in close conversations with the commercial department when we’re thinking of partnering with anybody or coming up with anything brand new internally.

“It always has to have commercial interest buy-in, and we have to feel confident that the sales team will be really chuffed to take it out in the market.

“We also need people on board the network who are really comfortable with partnering with brands and who are really happy to read scripts for brands and even potentially, extend out on their social pages with brands, because [brands] are really interested in that.”

Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) welcomed figures in September that showed podcast and streaming online audio advertising expenditure increased 23.6% year-on-year in FY24, to $290 million.

The report also showed strong quarterly growth, with a total of $78.9 million for the June Quarter 2024 surpassing the December Quarter 2023 peak of $77.8 million.

Corbett says Nova plans on capitalising on this growth by continually investing in new podcast talent, but also with ongoing education with media agencies.

“Not everybody is adding podcasting to their mix at the moment, so the whole industry needs to keep educating media agencies about how powerful it is when you bring a brand into a podcast, and also educate on the best way way to integrate those brands so that you get the best results.”

The Australian Podcast Bi-Annual Report showed that most podcast listening occurs on Thursdays, and remains strong throughout the week compared to weekends. Corbett says these findings are nothing new for Nova. 

“We focus our content during the week because we are trying to catch those early morning listeners by dropping our shows as early as possible. If you’re an early riser and you’re doing the commute early, you can consume it as early as you want,” she said.

“We work to try and create content that is there when people want to consume it, because people choose what their prime time is when it comes to podcasting. It’s no longer you have to be sitting at a TV expecting to watch something at seven o’clock.

“If your prime time is 5 am when you go for a run, and that’s when you consume your favourite content, well, we want to have a show there for you to consume.”

News Corp Australia has unveiled its SXSW Sydney 2024 program featuring some of Australia’s leading media brands, underpinned by new research from The Growth Distillery, with an exclusive opening night VIP party for clients and marketers.

Client partnerships managing director, Lou Barrett, said: “We are thrilled to be a supporting partner of SXSW Sydney and to showcase the power of News Corp Australia’s brands in such a dynamic setting.

“This event provides a unique opportunity for us to invite our client and agency partners to experience our brands at a consumer level, while immersing themselves in the creativity and innovation that SXSW Sydney brings to the marketing community. It’s an inspiring environment where we can connect, engage, and explore new ways to drive commercial success together.”

The Ideas Dome powered by The Growth Distillery

News’ week-long activation at SXSW Sydney centres around The Ideas Dome, a purpose-built stage located in Tumbalong Park, open to all. It takes its inspiration from The Australian’s brand platform, Welcome to the Contest of Ideas, where critical thinking is fostered, innovation encouraged and the status quo challenged.

Powered by News’ The Growth Distillery, The Ideas Dome will showcase some of Australia’s leading media brands as they provide insights into some of the nation’s most impactful campaigns. Sessions include:

• The Australian presents Innovators: The Next Wave. Explore the future of innovation driven by generative AI, learn about the top 100 innovators transforming lives, and discover alternative funding options for entrepreneurs seeking support without going overseas. 

• News.com.au presents Australia, it’s About Bloody Time. An indepth exploration of the advocacy campaign that delivered new specialist support for more than one million endometriosis sufferers and a $49 million investment from the Federal Government. 

• Body+Soul presents From Mates to Soul Mates: Dating in the Digital World. A discussion exploring the unwritten rules of online dating, addressing privacy concerns, managing expectations, and navigating the risks of online stalking.

• Vogue Australia presents a Vogue Codes satellite session: From Algorithms to Data, the Future of Shopping. From marketing to the future of our digital footprint and the fashion trends created by algorithms, unpack how creative spaces such as fashion will be upended by incoming technologies.

News’ SXSW Sydney program also includes Technographics: The Most Influential View Of Your Customer… That’s Hiding In Plain Sight.

Director of The Growth Distillery, Dan Krigstein, will present the research on the main ICC stage, revealing how technological ‘postures’ dictate not just where customers shop but how they connect with brands.

Krigstein will then be joined on stage by some of Australia’s preeminent experts to discuss the commercial, consumer and human implications of this research.

The Australian will officially launch The List: Innovators magazine with a unique client experience at Thrive House onboard LawConnect Superyacht, the only on-the-water activation at SXSW Sydney.

A group of VIP guests, including senior corporate leaders and some of the young entrepreneurs who feature in the magazine, will sail Sydney Harbour to discuss the latest technological advances and their impact.

Lou Barrett will host an exclusive VIP event at the W Hotel where guests will be treated to a special performance by Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator, Thelma Plum.

Foxtel Group streaming platform Binge has released the official trailer, key art and first look images for the movie How To Make Gravy.

The Binge original feature film will premiere on the platform on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

How To Make Gravy is based on Paul Kelly’s iconic song and adapted for the screen by Aria award-winning musician Meg Washington and Nick Waterman.

The trailer offers a glimpse into the lives of Joe and his family as they prepare to celebrate their first Christmas without him.

Who’s who in How To Make Gravy cast

The cast for the film includes Daniel Henshall (Snowtown, Mystery Road: Origin), as Joe, while his brother Dan is played by Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Caribbean, Gods of Egypt, Titans).

Flying in from the coast is Joe’s sister Stella played by Kate Mulvany (The Twelve, Hunters, Lambs of God) and Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mr Inbetween, The Bikeriders) is Stella’s husband Roger.

Agathe Rousselle plays Rita in How To Make Gravy. Top: Daniel Henshall as Joe (Photos: Jasin Boland)

Making her English-language film debut is celebrated French actress Agathe Rousselle (Titane) as Joe’s wife Rita. Young rising star Jonah Wren Phillips is Joe’s son Angus, Rose Statham and Izzy Westlake play Joe’s twin daughters Frank and Dolly. Playing the part of Dan’s daughter Mary is Eloise Rothfield (Boy Swallows Universe) and driving down from Queensland are the brothers Gary, played by Eugene Gilfedder (Babyteeth, Fat Cow Motel), and Murray, played by Kym Gyngell (The Artful Dodger, Love Me).

Jonah Wren Phillips is Joe’s son Angus

The film will introduce new characters – Hugo Weaving (Love Me, The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix) as veteran lifer Noel who throws Joe a lifeline to help him evade the prison’s resident troublemaker Red played by Kieran Darcy-Smith (Wish You Were Here, Mr Inbetween).

Hugo Weaving plays Noel

Cameo appearances from Australian musicians will include rapper Adam Briggs, singer/songwriter Brendan Maclean, rising rap talent Dallas Woods, former lead singer of The Grates Patience Hodgson and Zaachariaha Fielding of Electric Fields who represented Australia in Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The film’s soundtrack features original songs by Meg Washington including the recently released The Hook which samples French electronic producer Petit Biscuit’s breakout hit Sunset Lover. The soundtrack also features new songs from Beddy Rays Red Hot Chrissy, Electric Fields & The Prison Choir’s Dream On and Brendan Maclean & The Prison Choir’s Fine.

Production notes

How To Make Gravy was adapted for the screen by award-winning musician Meg Washington and Nick Waterman, who also directed. Waterman and Washington produce alongside Hamish Lewis and Academy Award-nominated producer Schuyler Weiss (Elvis). It is commissioned by the Foxtel Group for Binge and financed with support by Screen Queensland. Fifth Season will distribute the film internationally. Executive producers are Michael Brooks for WBITVP and Susannah George with Alison Hurbert-Burns and Amanda Laing. Head of scripted for the Foxtel Group is Lana Greenhalgh.

Elizabeth Fox has been appointed managing director of Google customer solutions in Australia and New Zealand.

Google Customer Solutions is the Small and Medium Business segment of Google’s global business organisation.

Fox brings more than 20 years of global work experience to the role. Before Google in 2014, she led e-commerce and agency businesses in the US and Asia Pacific.

Since joining the tech giant, Fox has held multiple leadership roles, including head of traditional and performance agencies and head of mid-market and small business sales.

Her most recent appointment was leading small business ad sales for Google Customer Solutions in the Asia Pacific. 

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be working in this space,” Fox said of her appointment. “Australian and New Zealand SMBs have shown great resilience navigating an increasingly dynamic environment, embracing new technologies and ways of working despite challenges.

“Google Customer Solutions has a unique opportunity to further empower these businesses with the best of Google, including our AI-powered advertising tools and rich customer insights, to help them achieve their goals. I’m looking forward to getting started, and contributing to their success,” Fox added.

Fox succeeds into the role after John Ball stepped down from the position last month after a decade. Last month, Ball took to LinkedIn to announce he joined business consultancy Scyne Advisory last month as its first chief executive officer.

He wrote in the post: “I could not be more excited to be joining Scyne to work with such an incredible team that is delivering real impact to public purpose businesses across Australia.”

John Mullen, chair of Scyne, added in the LinkedIn post: “I am very excited at the skills and experience that John brings to the role. As Scyne moves into the growth phase and begins the journey of implementing its five-year strategy, John’s depth of knowledge of the technology industry as well as his skills as a leader are a potent mix for the business we have established.

“Scyne is purpose driven with ethics at the core and we are driving to be the public purpose advisory business in Australia.”

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Top image: Elizabeth Fox

Thrive PR & Communications has announced its SXSW Sydney ‘House’ activation as the countdown begins for the convention, running from 14 – 20 October.

Thrive House onboard LawConnect Superyacht will feature at Darling Harbour with three days of activity from Wednesday 16 October to Friday 18 October with a line up of panelists and speakers, networking and select opportunities for SXSW Sydney Platinum badge holders.

LawConnect, which is part of technology titan Christian Beck’s stable of products and companies, has partnered with Thrive delivering a venue which becomes the only on-the-water experience at SXSW Sydney.

Leilani Abels, Thrive CEO, said: “The line up at SXSW Sydney this year is extraordinary from featured conference speakers like Twitch CEO Dan Clancy and rapper The Kid Laroi through to screen, gaming and tech events plus the SXSW Sydney Music Festival with a showcase of more than 200 artists from more than 15 countries.

“It was an easy decision for our agency to invest in a brand partnership to bring our Thrive community together at SXSW Sydney and to create a platform for our clients, brands, creators and entrepreneurs to meet up and learn from each other.

“Onboard the LawConnect superyacht, there will be some exciting agency and client announcements along with unique events in an environment that’s all about innovation, technology, culture and curiosity.

“Thrive is known for more than our PR and digital work for world leading brands. It’s about introducing our clients to new opportunities and experiences helping our community grow and thrive together.”

Thrive House onboard LawConnect Superyacht will deliver exclusive media and influencer daily mixers. Invited guests will also cruise Sydney Harbour.

InfoSum has appointed media and marketing industry leader Adele Burke as sales director of Australia and New Zealand. 

In this newly created senior position, Adele will lead the data collaboration platform’s go-to-market sales strategy as data clean rooms become an increasingly ‘must-have’ solution across all media and advertising businesses. 

“Adele brings with her in-depth media and marketing insight and experience, a proven track-record of delivering results for marketers and an exceptional network,” said Richard Knott, SVP APAC at InfoSum.

“She is the ideal person to build upon InfoSum’s strong foundational presence in Australia and New Zealand and take our privacy-by-design data collaboration solutions to a wider audience of agencies, brands and media owners.”

Prior to joining InfoSum, Burke spent 13 years at EssenceMediacom Australia, most recently as general manager of the Sydney office, where she worked with some of the most prestigious and high-profile accounts including Coca-Cola, eBay, Bayer, Richemont, KFC, Snackbrands, Airbnb, Stockland, and Sony.

Burke began her career in various planning positions, including roles at Universal McCann Ireland and ZenithOptimedia Ireland. 

Burke said of her new role: “I’ve spent over two decades leveraging data, insights, creativity, and technology to lead and grow businesses, so I jumped at the opportunity to join InfoSum at a moment in time when privacy-first data collaboration is becoming so critical to power innovative marketing strategies.”

“Data clean rooms are being rapidly adopted by brands and their agencies to drive valuable insights and better marketing outcomes for brands, and I’m looking forward to helping more brands realise the value of data collaboration.”

InfoSum launched in Australia and New Zealand in April 2022 and under the leadership of Knott, it has formed partnerships with media owners including News Corp Australia and Foxtel, retail media including Unpacked by FlyBuys, now Coles360, agency groups including Annalect, along with several high-profile brands.

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Top image: Adele Burke

Orange Line has strengthened its team with eight new strategic hires and several promotions following the addition of several clients, including Fantastic Furniture, Skyscanner, and Jackson Hole, to its roster.

Marie Taupiac joins the independent digital marketing agency as SEO director and will be responsible for developing and executing SEO strategies to meet client objectives and drive business growth. She will also play a key role in managing major client relationships, including Skyscanner and TileCloud, and leading and mentoring a team of SEO professionals.

Taupiac brings a wealth of both international and local experience to Orange Line, having held senior positions at dentsu across ANZ. Most recently, she was digital experience director at dentsu New Zealand, specialising in SEO, CRO, and optimising user journeys. Prior to that, she earned her stripes covering in-house roles in Spain and France, working across the media, legal and telecommunications sectors.

Taupiac said of her new appointment: “I’m truly impressed by the high calibre of work the agency delivers and the dedication the team shows to achieving client success. Orange Line’s commitment to cutting through the noise and focusing on what drives real growth for clients is refreshing, and I’m excited to be part of a team that prioritises impact and results.”

Dani Maynard has been appointed communications lead and will be responsible for crafting and executing communication strategies for the agency and its diverse client roster.

Maynard was previously with global technology company WiseTech Global, where she led external communications, social media, and employer branding initiatives. She said: “I’m thrilled to join Orange Line during such an exciting growth phase. I’m eager to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, and to contribute to the innovative and dynamic environment that Orange Line is renowned for.”

The agency has also welcomed Rinka Owen in the role of senior SEO Executive; Tess Botham-Barnes as outreach coordinator; and promoted Veronika Warren to head of SEO and Annie Shao to senior communications manager.
 
Strengthening its media offering, the media team has also expanded with the appointments of Suruchi Sehgal to the role of paid media manager; David Fechney and Angus Crawford as paid media executives and Victoria Lee as paid media coordinator, further solidifying the agency’s position as a powerhouse in the digital marketing landscape.
 
David Klein, co-founder of Orange Line, said: “Our recent hires and promotions reflect the momentum we’ve built as an agency. As our portfolio of clients continues to expand, so does our need for exceptional talent.
 
“We’re incredibly proud of the team we’ve assembled—their expertise, creativity, and dedication will drive our success and the success of our clients. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible for our clients.”

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Top image:
Front row L-R: Annie Shao, Dani Maynard, Marie Taupiac, Rinka Owen.
Back row L-R: Suruchi Sehgal, Tess Botham-Barnes, David Fechney, Aishling Farrell, David Klein, Angus Crawford, Victoria Lee.

Murmur has announced the appointment of three new key hires to its senior leadership team to support the agency’s growth.

Joining the independent media agency is Rob Hawkins as client service director, Tara DeLuccia as operations director, and Vatsal Prasad as performance marketing director, with a media director set to join soon.

The agency, founded in 2016 by managing director Dave Levett, works with clients like Lululemon, Sushi Hub, Contour Clinics,  Western Sydney Wanderers FC and more. These recent appointments come as Murmur expands to meet the demands of its growing client base.

“Bringing together such an experienced leadership team is a defining moment for Murmur,” Levett said. “The agency has reached a point where we need strong leaders to help drive our continued expansion and ensure we remain agile, results-driven, and client-focused. This new structure will allow us to better serve our clients and continue to grow in a competitive market.”

DeLuccia, previously head of project management at UM Australia, joins as operations director. With over 12 years of experience in operations and project management, she is tasked with optimising Murmur’s internal processes and enhancing efficiency.

“I’m excited to bring my experience from larger agencies to streamline Murmur’s operations and support its continued growth,” DeLuccia said. “It’s a pivotal time for the business, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in shaping its future.”
 
Hawkins, formerly with Publicis Groupe and Dentsu, brings 15 years of marketing experience to his new role as client service director. He will focus on strengthening client relationships and expanding Murmur’s service offerings.
 
“I’m excited to really get under the hood of our clients’ businesses and find new ways to help them grow. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some evolving brands and take our service offering up a notch for both new and existing clients,” explained Hawkins.
 
Prasad, an expert in digital marketing with a decade of experience in the independent agency sector, joins as performance marketing director. His passion for data-driven solutions will help Murmur deliver measurable outcomes for its clients.
 
He added: “I view data as a story waiting to be told, and I’m eager to apply that approach to drive meaningful commercial growth for both Murmur and our clients. My focus will be on leveraging eCommerce strategies and using data insights to solve complex challenges and deliver results.”
 
With a media director set to join the team soon, Murmur’s leadership group is poised to strengthen its offerings and expand its reach across the media landscape.
 
Levett added: “Our team has never been this strong. This is about setting Murmur up for the future as we continue to grow and push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients.”

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Top image: Rob Hawkins, Tara DeLuccia and Vatsal Prasad

Commercial Mix Modelling (CMM) platform Prophet has achieved ISO 27001 certification for its Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), the highest global standard for security and compliance.

ISO 27001 is a globally recognised standard that outlines best practices for ISMS. It is validated by a certified, independent third-party auditor. It acknowledges an organisation’s policies and practices related to risk mitigation, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity and availability, and proactively responding to information security threats.

Prophet underwent a rigorous, months-long assessment and audit process to meet the stringent requirements of the ISO 27001 standard for a holistic framework, consisting of policies, procedures and structures around people, processes and technology.

The successful certification recognises that Prophet has demonstrated a systematic, ongoing and structured approach to managing sensitive company and customer information that aligns with international best practices in information security management.

Prophet CEO and co-founder Jordan Taylor-Bartels said the ISO 27001 certification was a significant milestone for the business.

“The achievement of the ISO 27001 certification is a significant leap forward in our continuous effort to raise the bar in secure and responsible data management. At Prophet, we are not just about adhering to standards; we are about setting them. We believe this certification is merely the beginning of our journey towards excellence in information security,” he said.

“It gives our customers assurance that we are relentless in our efforts to protect their data against any threats and implement robust information security management systems, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

“As data breaches become more and more common, the importance of knowing where and how data is stored cannot be overstated. Our customers’ trust depends on our ability to protect their data with diligence. This certification is not just an accomplishment for Prophet; it’s a promise to our customers; a promise of providing a secure, reliable, and locally managed data environment that they can trust.”

Since its inception, Taylor-Bartels has prioritised the Australian-owned and operated company’s data stays onshore. He said: “We know there is increasing concern for data sovereignty among Australian businesses and individuals.

“By keeping data within Australian borders, we are providing an extra layer of comfort and security for our clients – they know their data is protected by Australian privacy laws and regulations. It provides peace of mind to customers – they can rest assured knowing their sensitive information is stored in a jurisdiction that respects their privacy and right to data protection,” he said.

Prophet has significantly impacted the field of marketing intelligence by focusing meticulously on the foundations of its platform before its launch, unlike the typical MVP-led strategies prevalent in today’s tech landscape. This considered approach, rooted in advanced mathematical models, has provided Prophet with a robust, reliable framework and boosted its momentum as a precise and actionable tool for marketers.

“Marketers are drawn to Prophet because it transcends traditional analytics by unveiling intricate, often hidden relationships within data, thereby enabling smarter, data-driven decisions. In an industry where precision can translate into billion-dollar shifts, Prophet’s ability to eliminate guesswork and provide deep insights ensures marketers can manage media spending, and brand investments more effectively, leading to higher profitability and competitive advantage. We are seeing strong growth momentum as a result,” Taylor-Bartels said.

Prophet is helmed by former Hyperloop global operations and marketing lead Taylor-Bartels and former Ogilvy and VMLY&R Commerce CEO Sean Taylor as executive chairman. Its backers include executive chair of View Media Group and former Domain CEO Antony Catalano, Seek co-founder Matt Rockman, and Former Dentsu CEO Cheuk Chiang. The company’s development team includes A-list talent from organisations including NASA, SpaceX, Linktree, WPP, Dentsu and Deloitte.

See also: Antony Catalano among investors for predictive intelligence platform, Prophet

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Top image: Jordan Taylor-Bartels

WPP has revealed a global partnership with Roblox, building on several years of collaboration on interactive 3D brand content and advertising. The alliance will help scale expertise among agency teams and brands in leveraging Roblox as a new media channel.

The collaboration includes a broad scope of initiatives from offering Roblox sprint days to a joint advisory council to advance 3D measurement and Roblox platform education, with the aim of pushing the boundaries of creativity on Roblox.

WPP and its media investment company, GroupM, will join the official Roblox Partner Program as an agency partner to work directly with Roblox to establish a long-term measurement advisory relationship, shaping the future of the brand ecosystem on the platform and setting new standards for 3D environments and immersive media.

Rob Reilly, chief creative officer of WPP, said: “Roblox is an amazing platform for brands to engage creatively with a young, expanding and valuable audience. By merging WPP’s creative firepower with Roblox’s innovative environment, we will continue to invent new and exciting ways for brands to connect with the next generation of consumers. Buckle up.”

Roblox will develop ways for WPP’s creative agencies to utilise Roblox’s platform as a creative engine and partner with Roblox creators.

WPP and Roblox will also work together to pilot a first-of-its-kind Roblox certification program for marketers to deepen their expertise in the platform’s ecosystem. The multi-module training course will be developed for both creative and media agencies, with WPP team members being the first to get certified on Roblox’s platform.

The partnership builds on a longstanding foundation of work that WPP and Roblox have developed together on behalf of global clients including adidas, Church & Dwight, Danone, Nickelodeon and Paramount.

Going forward, WPP and Roblox will host a series of client sprint days that bring together experienced Roblox community creators, developer studios and agency strategists to develop a unique activation in one business day.

Stephanie Latham, VP of global brand partnerships and advertising at Roblox, said: “We’re excited to partner with WPP to push the boundaries of brand creativity on Roblox. This alliance will enable brands to harness our platform’s unique capabilities and connect with our incredible community, driving forward new standards in immersive media and delivering exceptional experiences for a diverse and engaged audience.”

The F1 Australian Grand Prix has unveiled its new positioning – ‘Expect Nothing Less’ – with brand strategy, brand system and campaign work created by independent agency Bullfrog.

Working with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s executive team and internal creative team, Bullfrog has executed a new direction with the ambition “to build excitement and get fans revved up for the 2025 racing season.”

Lani Evans, division manager, brand at Australian Grand Prix Corporation, said: “The event has undergone a tremendous evolution in recent years, as demand for tickets increases and our audience diversifies. With the current contract seeing Melbourne hosting the event until 2037, it was important we reflected our changing demographics and gave ourselves a platform to build on for the future.”

“The most iconic events on the Formula 1 ® calendar have a strong and singular focus. Monaco is exclusivity, Monza is fired up by the Tifosi, Vegas is borne from the city’s indulgence, while Singapore has the night race. said Mike Doman, executive strategy director at Bullfrog.

“For Melbourne, it’s everything we love about this liveable city that drives our race experience. Our goal was to reflect our city’s commitment to extraordinary and drive to push things right to the edge of what’s possible. Playing a role in defining something as iconic as the Formula 1 ® Australian Grand Prix for the next decade was a dream come true.”

452,055 spectators passed through the gates at 2024’s Australian F1 Grand Prix, with 40% of women making up this number. Sunday’s main race day attracted 132,106 fans.

The new brand commenced rolling out through all marketing, brand behaviours and event design from September this year, with tickets for the 2025 event going on sale this week.

Credits:

Client: Australian Grand Prix Corporation
Creative: Bullfrog and Australian Grand Prix Corporation

GumGum has launched the GumGum Platform, a flagship solution that unifies its three main product lines: GumGum Contextual, GumGum Attention, and GumGum Creative.

The company has also announced the launch of a proprietary Mindset Graph, a predictive data engine that aligns consumer mindsets with advertiser goals.

The solutions uphold ad privacy and power more relevant and non-invasive online experiences while maximising brand performance.

“Old-school, identity-based targeting is all data and no insight,” said GumGum’s CEO Phil Schraeder. “The GumGum Platform and Mindset Graph change that by providing access to contextual, attention, and creative solutions that deliver ads that truly resonate—right time, right mindset, no stalking required.

“We’re proving you can build genuine connections without invading people’s digital lives. It’s advertising technology that respects your privacy and actually works,” Schraeder added.

The Platform unifies its flagship solutions: GumGum Contextual (formerly Verity) leverages artificial intelligence for meaningful, content-based targeting signals; GumGum Attention (previously Playground xyz’s Attention Intelligence Platform) measures ad attention, linking campaign effectiveness to real-world outcomes; and GumGum Creative delivers high-impact, attention-grabbing ads that capture consumer interest, aligning to their mindset, in that moment.
 
The integrated approach will enable advertisers to create more effective, targeted campaigns that resonate with audiences.

The Mindset Graph empowers advertisers by providing deep insights into the intersection of context, attention, and creative. It identifies ideal contexts, topics, and keywords for ads in real-time, based on content experiences at that moment, solving the matching problem between consumers and advertisers.
 
The result: relevant and engaging ads across all digital platforms—whether users are browsing websites, watching videos, or streaming content. For advertisers, it enhances every stage of the advertising process, from planning and activation to optimization and reporting, enabling more effective, privacy-respecting advertising.
 
The launch of the Platform and Mindset Graph reaffirms its commitment to leading the digital advertising landscape with innovative solutions that respect consumer privacy and meet marketer needs. It follows the recent appointment of Kerel Cooper as the company’s chief marketing officer.

The Western Australian government have launched a campaign with 303 MullenLowe Perth and Carat WA that reframes how family and domestic violence looks and educates the subtle but insidious nature of coercive control.

It highlights the different types of abuse that are recognised as family and domestic violence, using the tagline: ‘It doesn’t have to be physical. Coercive control is family and domestic violence’.

The campaign focuses on educating the public, including perpetrators, victim-survivors and those around them, to understand what coercive control is and the impact it can have on individuals, families and communities. It recognises that children and young people are also victim-survivors.

It is the first phase of a two-year awareness campaign that will be seen across BVOD, OOH, social, digital, radio, ambient, press, and search. 303 MullenLowe’s campaign remit extended to strategy, creative, media strategy, all through-the-line communications, web content, and social executions.

Sara Oteri, 303 MullenLowe Perth ECD, said: “To make the connection that coercive control isn’t just unacceptable, it IS domestic violence, we borrowed symbolism associated with physical violence to mark our footage every time coercive control took place. The technique not only draws your attention to the otherwise subtle abuse taking place, it cements that coercive control is a form of violence, even when it’s not physical.”

Insights from people with lived experience, sector and Aboriginal  stakeholders and community members were used to develop the strategy and creative.

Matt Oakley, 303 MullenLowe Perth chief strategy officer, said the discussions had a profound impact on how the team approached the campaign: “The research groups we attended were hugely enlightening. Not only did we get a far better understanding of the prevailing attitudes and beliefs held on the subject, but you could see a series of light bulb moments.
 
“Whether it was men who previously dismissed controlling behaviours, or people with lived experience of family and domestic violence who said that at the time they were unaware of what was happening to them, everyone appreciated just how difficult coercive control is to recognise.  We hope the resulting campaign completely reframes the way West Australians look at this issue.”
 
Kylie Macey, Mediahub Perth general manager said: “Whilst we cannot broadly target people based on their experience, we can design a media strategy to be ready for all scenarios and leverage the key principles of persistency and consistency to increase education of coercive control, creating unique journeys for the WA community as they move towards better understanding of coercive control.”

Carat WA worked collaboratively with 303 MullenLowe and Mediahub to evolve the strategy, connecting critical audience insights with media planning principles to ensure the campaign could evoke the necessary impact it required.

Carat WA client partner Michelle Testa said: “The research findings were enlightening and highlighted the scale of the job to be done.  We mobilised the WA media industry to ideate and support the strategy, building bespoke solutions to support the campaign framework. This work challenged the team at every step of the way as they persisted to develop a solution that would get to the heart of the issue for WA.”

It is the second campaign launched for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet by 303 MullenLowe, Mediahub and Carat WA in recent months; in July, it launched the ‘Don’t Assume You’re Immune’ campaign, as part of a broader effort to tackle vaccine misinformation.

Credits
Client:
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Department of Communities

Creative Agency: 303 MullenLowe Perth
Executive Creative Director- Sara Oteri
Copywriter- Ellysia Burton
Art Director – Stephen Hansen
Chief Strategy Officer – Matt Oakley
Junior Planner – Harvey Clarke-Smith
Head of Production/Agency Producer – Johnathan Julius
Managing Director – René Migliore
Senior Business Director – Holly Creasey
Senior Business Manager – Devon Jackson
Head of Design – Alby Furfaro
Graphic Designer – Lucas Faim
Artworker- Suzanne Whoston & Angela Homann

Mediahub (Media Strategy)
General Manager: Kylie Macey

Carat WA Team
Client Partner: Michelle Testa
Planning Director: Ash Idle
Group Investment Director: Sam Giuffre
Snr Client Manager: Emily Whyte
Client Manager: Morgan Hopkins
Digital Executive: Nicole MacNeil
Client Associate: Oliver O’Meehan
Head of Performance: Sean Birkholtz
Performance Director: Lucy Thompson
Digital Executive: Mae Dolan
Data & Analytics Lead: Griffin Becker
Data & Analytics Director: Meenakshi Mondal
Production Co: Clockwork Films WA
Post Production: Clockwork Films 
Executive Producer: Katie Trew
Director: Matt Sav
Stills Photographer: Finlay Mackay
Producer: Anouk Ratnawibhushana
Production Manager: Alex Nell
DOP: Lewis Potts
Casting & Locations: Megan Carpenter
Post Audio: Envelope Audio
Sound Design & Engineering: Ned Beckley

Common State is expanding into the digital entertainment arena with the launch of Superstate: a full-service communications agency dedicated to gaming and digital culture.

The new agency will be spearheaded by Common State account director Jadan Carroll and marketing manager Hamish Kirkpatrick, who will assume the newly created roles of co-managing partners, alongside senior account manager Charly Binney and senior account executive Caitlyn Miles.

Superstate aims to help brands reach new audiences by engaging core gaming communities and bringing gaming culture into the mainstream, particularly through mainstream media.

Initially, the agency will focus on publicity, talent partnerships, content creation, and event coordination.

“We’re gamers at heart; it’s in our team’s DNA,” said Carroll. “In recent years, we’ve delivered on several projects that have cemented our connection to the industry, so launching a gaming-focused vertical was a natural evolution for us.”

“Australia’s digital gaming scene is incredibly diverse, and the country consistently punches way above its weight in creative output” added Kirkpatrick. “With Superstate, we want to amplify and champion the talent within Australia’s gaming ecosystem, telling their stories and putting their games on the world stage through campaigns that penetrate globally.”

In recent years, the team has collaborated with VicScreen—the Victorian Government’s creative and economic screen development agency—to spotlight the state’s indie developers to mainstream media and the international publishing community. This included a targeted showcase event in 2022, coinciding with the launch of Cult of the Lamb by Melbourne’s own Massive Monster.

An offshoot of Common State, Superstate becomes the newest addition to the Bolster Group of agencies, alongside culture and marketing specialists Bolster, experiential and sponsorship specialists Aeroplane Agency, and Indigenous-owned creative collective Going North.

Formed via the merger of Common State and Bolster in 2023, Bolster Group is Australia’s first culture and entertainment agency group, working with clients in the music, entertainment, and arts industries.

“When two of the country’s best arts and entertainment professionals tell you they want to create a games-focused communications agency, you do everything possible to make it a reality,” said Luke McKinnon, managing director of Common State.

“Superstate was born from Jadan and Hamish’s deep passion for gaming and their desire to see it recognised as a leading driver of global culture here in Australia. Gaming has become one of the most powerful cultural forces today, and with the launch of Superstate, we’re excited to be at the forefront—helping independent developers and brands shape the future of entertainment across Australia and the Asia Pacific.”

Akcelo has been appointed by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to deliver an impactful road safety campaign aimed at motorcycle riders.

The campaign is set to launch at the upcoming 2024 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island that hosts over 100,000 people from across the state and country.  

The engagement will also see the brand experience and innovation company spearhead a highly targeted, interactive event activation at the MotoGP for riders to reinforce the campaign message and build engagement with the rider community.

Jon Kenyon, managing partner Melbourne at Akcelo, said: “This is significant work at an iconic Victorian event. We’re eager to engage MotoGP fans and riders to enact change.”

“The need to drive behaviour change for Victorian riders and increasing their use of protective clothing is paramount,” Simon McCrudden, brand strategy partner at Akcelo, said. “Riders represent under 4% of all registrations but account for 25% of serious injuries and 18% of deaths on the road. This brief is one we are excited to partner with TAC in helping solve.”

This campaign win comes after Akcelo announced the appointment of Sean La Brooy as group strategy director. His return to Australia comes after he spent the last five years at Droga5 New York in a series of senior strategy roles.

La Brooy has worked on many major projects, from defining the global brand strategy for Meta to Super Bowl spots for Molson Coors and multiple high-profile global pitch wins, including Xbox, Levi’s, Coors Light, and Tourism Australia.

As group strategy director La Brooy will work across Akcelo’s Australian and North American offices and global client roster, including McDonald’s, TikTok and Asahi Beverages.

La Brooy said of his new role at the independent brand experience agency: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Akcelo after years of admiring their modern and innovative approach to making an impact for clients. It’s fantastic to be back on home soil and be given the chance to help drive their continued success.”

See also: Sean La Brooy returns from Droga5 New York to join Akcelo as group strategy director

Monday 7 October 2024: VOZ Total TV Ratings Overnight Top 30 – Programs ranked on reach

Total People TV Ratings

Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,060,000, a total TV national audience of 1,199,000, and a BVOD audience of 96,000.

Nine’s The Block recorded a total TV national reach of 2,182,000, a total TV national audience of 1,236,000, and a BVOD audience of 191,000.

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules recorded a total TV national reach of 1,572,000, a total TV national audience of 823,000, and a BVOD audience of 83,000.

MKR returned to Perth as Mike and Pete hoped to improve on their first Instant Restaurant and impress the judges with their classic Italian menu. After a successful entrée, things went downhill at Twisted Lemons, with Mike and Pete receiving a score of 70 out of 110.  

The fussy friends are, however, safe from elimination as Janey and Maddie remain at the bottom of the leaderboard with two more teams yet to cook.

As the guest teams arrived, Mike and Pete invited Lawrence and Janey to extend an olive branch to each other in the hope to ease the ongoing tension. There was strategy behind their peacemaking as Mike acknowledged: “The tactic behind the olive branch tonight is that they accept the peace. Everyone’s going to have a great time. Therefore, when it comes to scoring, everyone’s going to be happy!”

Also on Seven, Seven News recorded a total TV national reach of 2,129,000, a total TV national audience of 1,345,000, and a BVOD audience of 64,000.

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention? recorded a total TV national reach of 1,156,000, a total TV national audience of 695,000, and a BVOD audience of 29,000.

People 25-54

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 856,000
• National Audience: 548,000
• BVOD Audience: 117,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 588,000
• National Audience: 356,000
• BVOD Audience: 33,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 502,000
• National Audience: 241,000
• BVOD Audience: 46,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 516,000
• National Audience: 320,000
• BVOD Audience: 17,000

People 16-39

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 378,000
• National Audience: 240,000
• BVOD Audience: 69,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 221,000
• National Audience: 129,000
• BVOD Audience: 16,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 186,000
• National Audience: 96,000
• BVOD Audience: 24,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 177,000
• National Audience: 111,000
• BVOD Audience: 9,000

Grocery Shoppers 18+ TV Ratings

Nine’s The Block:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,661,000
• National Audience: 963,000
• BVOD Audience: 153,000

Seven’s Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,694,000
• National Audience: 1,075,000
• BVOD Audience: 51,000

Seven’s My Kitchen Rules:
• Total TV nation reach: 1,262,000
• National Audience: 675,000
• BVOD Audience: 67,000

10’s Have You Been Paying Attention?:
• Total TV nation reach: 921,000
• National Audience: 556,000
• BVOD Audience: 23,000

Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2024. Not to be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without prior written consent of OzTAM and Regional TAM.