Vistar Media has launched its new Melbourne office and the appointments of two new hires as it expands its capabilities and operations in Australia and the APAC region.
The company’s expansion to the Victorian capital aims to build upon the foundations laid by the Sydney team and ensure its clients receive service and expertise in programmatic OOH advertising.
Leading the company’s Melbourne office is Ben Swaik in the newly created role of account director, demand sales, Melbourne, alongside Alice Aram who joins as account director.
Swaik brings over a decade of experience in the Melbourne media market, knowledge and a results-driven, solution-oriented approach to Vistar and the role.
His career includes significant roles at organisations such as News Corp Australia, Carsales, and GumGum (formerly Playground xyz). He said: “I am excited to join Vistar and build the Melbourne office. The potential for programmatic OOH in this market is immense, and I look forward to working with our clients to help them create impactful, data-driven campaigns.”
Aram brings over 10 years of experience in the advertising industry across the UK and Australia to the role of account director. She has a deep background in data and programmatic advertising strategies both on the agency and tech sides.
Her most recently held positions include Unpacked by Flybuys and Dentsu Aegis Network, where she collaborated closely with FMCG and retail marketers to power programmatic advertising.
Aram of her appointment: “Joining Vistar at this pivotal moment is incredibly exciting. Vistar’s innovative technology and customer-first approach to OOH is unmatched in the industry, and I am eager to help our clients leverage these tools to maximise their campaign success.”
In 2023, the Melbourne market accounted for 23% of Vistar’s total billing, which surged to 28% in the first half of 2024. Additionally, Melbourne market spend for Vistar in Q1 2024 grew by 109% compared to Q1 2023.
Ben Baker, managing director for APAC at Vistar Media, said: “Opening our Melbourne office is a significant step for Vistar as we continue to grow our footprint in Australia and the broader APAC region, underscored by compelling growth figures that highlight the necessity of establishing a dedicated office to better serve our clients.
“With Ben and Alice on board, we are extremely excited to continue providing our clients in Melbourne with the highest level of service and support across their OOH campaigns.”
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Top image: Alice Aram and Ben Swaik