Affinity – Panasonic/Birch & White/Johnson & Johnson
Tech driven advertising and media agency Affinity has won a trio of high profile clients as it continues to enjoy sustained growth. The Sydney-headquartered independent agency has been appointed by premium sauces and dressing producer Birch & Waite to manage strategy, creative and media across both its retail and professional divisions. Affinity won the business following a competitive pitch, beating out incumbents STW-owned agency EVO and The Armoury. The first work for the brand is due to be released in October. In other successes, Affinity has been appointed by Johnson & Johnson Pacific to handle strategy and creative duties for the Acuvue contact lens brand. It has also been added to the agency roster for Japanese electronics giant Panasonic. Affinity specialises in creating personalised connections between people and brands through tailored interactions. It was the only Australian agency to present at SXSW Interactive in Austin Texas this year and has been awarded for its expertise in data-driven analytics and insights.
Affinity has won a trio of high profile clients as it continues to enjoy sustained growth
Luke Brown, CEO at Affinity said: “We’re thrilled with the wins of Birch & Waite, Johnson & Johnson and Panasonic. It’s on the back of momentum we’ve been building over the last year by setting up a leadership team right with a diverse range of skills across data, tech, strategy and creative. It’s an offering that’s definitely gaining traction for us so much so, we’re growing and hiring for five new roles at the moment.” David Charles, general manager of Birch & Waite added: “Affinity used their tech and data skills to prove that they really understood our business challenges and could deliver our consumer on the path to purchase. But they also backed this up with some category breaking creative, a great mix really.”
Geometry Global – Penny For London
The Mayor’s Fund for London has appointed WPP’s Geometry Global UK to raise awareness of and drive registrations to “Penny for London”, a new scheme designed to help disadvantaged young Londoners via contact-less payments. The new creative communications campaign, in partnership with TfL and Clear Channel, will include out of home, digital and radio. It will run across London this September in the lead up to City Giving Day on 30 September. The not-for-profit assignment is effective immediately. According to London Mayor Boris Johnson, “Penny for London is a big, bold idea that will revolutionise the way we give to charity, with latest contact-less technology helping to transform the lives of thousands of young people across the capital.” Penny for London is quick and simple. People register contact-less cards and make “micro-donations” of between 1p and 10p, with a daily limit of 99p, every day they travel by TfL tube or bus and every time they visit retail partners. Administered by the Mayor’s Fund for London, all money raised is given to not-for-profit organisations to help improve the prospects of children and young people across the city. If 100,000 people sign up to the scheme in 2015, the scheme is set to raise over £1million for good causes.
Geometry Global UK has been appointed to raise awareness of the Penny for London scheme
Matthew Patten, chief executive of the Mayor’s Fund for London, said: “We have been really impressed by Geometry Global’s passion to help disadvantaged young Londoners, insight into the communications challenge and creativity in bringing Penny for London to life.” Sarah Todd, CEO of Geometry Global UK, added: “The idea that small and frequent donations can make a big difference in young people’s lives is fantastic. And as an agency inspired by transforming how people buy – we’re thrilled to partner with 'Penny for London' to help make it easy for shoppers and travellers to donate. The growth in confidence we've seen in contact-less payments at retail means Penny for London is set to make a big difference in helping young Londoners now and for the future.”
Vizeum Sydney – Kailis Jewellery
Vizeum has been awarded the media account for Kailis Jewellery, with the agency set to manage the media strategy, planning and buying for the luxury Australian jewellery brand. Vizeum was praised by Kailis for their strategic thinking, senior and experienced staff, and their track record for delivering business results working with luxury brands. Vizeum’s first campaign for Kailis will be a continuation of the “Anticipating Moments” campaign.
Vizeum has been awarded the media account for Kailis Jewellery
Mark Majzner, general manager of Kailis Jewellery said: “Vizeum will help Kailis Pearls engage with its customers in the places where they are most receptive to our brand and products. A strategic decision was taken to move to a partner with specialist digital media buying expertise. We were very impressed with Vizeum’s customer research tools, team and particularly their experience with luxury brands.” Vizeum Sydney’s managing director Nick Behr added: “Vizeum is very excited to be working with a great Australian heritage brand. We believe we can drive true business value back to Kailis through our consumer centric approach and digital expertise.”
VSA Partners – Marvin Windows & Doors
Marvin Windows and Doors has named VSA Partners its new marketing and advertising agency of record. The agency, which was chosen for their fresh approach, will handle marketing efforts for the Marvin and Integrity brands, focusing on creating integrated marketing efforts, including digital, print and online advertising, broadcast and sales enablement. The win is a big one for VSA Partners. Three years ago, VSA built out a marketing offering to complement its legendary branding capabilities. Now, VSA brings together all aspects of designing and activating brands--from brand strategy, narrative and design through data science, advertising and digital marketing. VSA's vision to deliver brand-building and business-building, hand in hand, was particularly appealing to Marvin.
Marvin Windows and Doors has named VSA Partners as its new agency of record
Brett Boyum, VP of marketing for Marvin and Integrity, said: “We're looking to create cutting-edge programs for the Marvin and Integrity brands to compete in today's complex, digitally connected marketplace," says Brett Boyum, VP of Marketing for Marvin and Integrity. "VSA presented us with innovative marketing thinking that will not only help elevate our brand, but will help drive our business.” Jeff Walker, partner and head of client engagement at VSA Partners, added: “Our teams are already in motion working on marketing initiatives for 2016. It's an exciting opportunity for us. Marvin is a storied brand, making it a natural fit for VSA, which has helped other iconic brands like Converse, Harley-Davidson and Mack Trucks play in a progressive space.”
Publicis UK – BHS
BHS (British Home Stores) has appointed Publicis UK to reinvigorate the British department store’s key events. The agency was hired after a competitive pitch against a number of other leading agencies and will now deliver a bespoke piece of content due to launch later this year. Vivid Brand, the strategically-led shopper marketing agency acquired by Publicis UK earlier this year, will also be working with BHS on the identity for key trading events. Publicis Blueprint, the content marketing division, will develop a campaign to be released later this year, while Vivid Brand, the shopper marketing agency, will oversee BHS’s brand identity for key trading events, including in-store and online activity. The department store company has suffered in recent years, having been overtaken by the more affordable Primark and the more visible M&S. The hiring of Publicis is just the latest part of a turnaround strategy that also involves the outsourcing of all BHS cafe's and restaurants to the catering group Compass.
BHS has appointed Publicis UK to reinvigorate the British department store
Victoria Hughes, senior marketing manager at BHS said : We are really excited to be working with Publicis UK on multiple platforms to help re-energise the brand.” Publicis UK’s group business director, Katie Edwards, added: “BHS is a high-street stalwart with a great mission and proposition. We look forward to supporting the brand as it continues on its trajectory by driving its customer awareness and engagement.”
