AdNews Australia’s Post

IPG Mediabrands wins the media and creative mandate for Air India Limited. The media planning and buying group's victory gave IPG more bragging rights, especially because Initiative's creative partner McCann Worldgroup India secured Air India's global creative mandate in 2023. #creativemandate #media #mediaplanning #multichannelmarketing #adtechtoday

This model of having a large agency to manage day-to-day demand and an independent that can think and act independently of its ownership structure is a great mix for clients at the size of Telstra. There is no doubt that Bear Meets Eagle on Fire has been Australia's bravest shop since they named their agency. Worldwide agencies founded by creative leadership will always have this advantage. With Telstra pushing its $248 million advertising budget around next year there will be great work to come. This will inspire more great work across Australian advertising. If you're a CMO start asking who you have around you that you trust to help you reach for better work.

A few very personal thoughts on strategy, creativity and everything in between. Hoping to hear from people who disagrees with my words. That's how the best conversations start (and ideas). Thank you LBBonline - Little Black Book for the space and opportunity to share my views. #vmlyr #vml #vmlyrcommerce #lbbonline #strategy #creativity #advertising #ideas #culture #problemsolving #simplicity #effectiveness #marketing

Latest from IMPACT Weekly Magazine, explaining how a planner’s role has become even more significant in today’s fragmented landscape, our very own Suraja Kishore, CEO, BBDO India shares, “The planner plays a vital role in preventing brand fragmentation in today’s fragmented landscape. Previously, people consumed the same media, but now even within families or friend groups, diverse programmes and content lead to fragmented narratives. Specialised agencies have emerged, adding complexity for marketers who interact with multiple individuals. This raises the question of who safeguards the brand’s essence in this scenario. Like a kitchen with many cooks but no chef, delivering high-quality, resonant brand experiences becomes challenging. Thus, planners go beyond short-term tactics, becoming champions of relevance. They synthesize data from various sources, uncover insights, and ensure brand coherence.... 🤲 BBDO Worldwide #BBDO  

Get China back on the map!

This week I've spent half a decade at BBDO Worldwide. I could have never imagined that we would have experienced a pandemic, war in Europe and a recession during this time. But despite these challenges BBDO Nordics stand stronger than ever. We've rebranded the agency, grown from 53 to 85 people, increased revenues by 70% and received more than 40 nominations for our work this last year alone. I don't hold a promise of what the next five years will bring, but if I had the opportunity to travel back in time and give that less wrinkly version of myself some advice, then these would be it: Always ask the "dumb questions": Don't presume that if you don't understand something, it is down to your lack of intelligence. It is more likely due to a problem in communication. So set the example by daring to ask the obvious question. Because if you don't understand something, chances are that the people around don't understand it either. By asking the "dumb questions", you make it ok for everyone to do the same. Which fosters a culture of learning, over a culture of appearances. Learn to love your problems. You won't be able to create an environment where problems don't arise. The world is far too complex. So instead of getting beat down every time a new problems arise, realise that your role is not to ensure problems don't arise, but to make sure they don't grow too big. So learn to love your problems and make them your work. Eat the frog early. My father in law Terry told me this and it is still the best leadership advice that I've received. Just like eating a frog, no one likes the idea of having to make a tough decision. I have had many sleepless nights these last five years, but not in one instance has a problem become better because I didn't make a decision. So deal with the uncomfortable early. Be an elephant, not a crocodile. David Sandstrom told me this years ago. The idea is to have big ears, a small mouth and to use them in that proportion. What I've learned is that good executive decisions are the results of many different inputs. In essence, the more angles you have, the more informed your decisions will be. So make sure to listen actively, often and everywhere. That way you can stay consistent in your leadership. Don't be afraid to show your weaknesses. Don't try to live up to an idealised idea of what a professional leader should be like. Because in the real world no one wants to work with a perfect leader. They want to work with genuine leader that cares, blemishes and all. So don't be afraid to show your weaknesses, even it it shows that some late afternoons you become a human labrador. We not me oriented. The success of BBDO will never be down to one individual. Rather a team of talented people who come in to work everyday hell bent on creating inspiring work! So be ruthless with hiring people who are both nice and talented. Then lead by leaving your ego at the door and work hard to make other people shine. Ps. You guys rock!

Post 25/60 Guiding Lights and Loyalty: The Mark of Eduardo Vargas, My Guardian Angel Eduardo Vargas came into my life during my presidency at Mindshare Colombia. It was a time of change in the advertising industry, marked by intense competition and account losses. Yet, with innovative strategies we began to turn the tide, catching the attention of our competitors. I remember a meeting with Nelson Enrique Garrido Sánchez from OMD Worldwide expressing concerns about client loss. My response was a proposal for collaboration, sharing our tools and knowledge to strengthen our agencies. Despite the obstacles and doubts, we persisted, and eventually, our meeting with Alvaro Arango, President of Sancho BBDO marked a decisive turn as they saw an opportunity in the tools we were using at Mindshare. In that context of ambition and collaboration, Eduardo Vargas, then Chairman of BBDO for Latin America, emerged as a key figure. His reputation preceded him: the founder of BBDO latinamerica, with acute business vision and deep market knowledge. After the meeting with Eduardo and other leaders of BBDO Worldwide and DDB we went to talk to our bosses, there was an agreement, but then it fell through. Although Eduardo believed combining our efforts would create a winning team. A year after, Eduardo called to tell me that he had recommended me to Joe Uva, the CEO of OMD, who would interview me. I became the president of the region, and that's where the story of post 22/60 begins. From that moment, Eduardo became more than a colleague; he became a mentor and advisor in challenging times. His support was vital, during false accusations and critical situations. His business wisdom became a guiding light. His presence, not only in the professional realm but also in my personal life, has been an invaluable gift. His guidance has been immensely valuable, offering advice that transcends technical aspects, valuing human relationships more than commercial successes. He is like a father to me. Today, as a part of SAB Marketing Connections his role is essential. We work together facing challenges with confidence and mutual respect. He not only brings experience but also high-level connections he has cultivated throughout his incredibly successful career. Eduardo said that I became an international entrepreneur that hasn't stopped since. However, the truth is, it wouldn't have been as enjoyable if he hadn't been by my side. His influence has been transformative. The numerous anecdotes I have with him wouldn't fit in this post, but I always recall them. His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering support left an indelible mark. This post is a tribute to his brilliance and authenticity, values that define a fulfilling and successful life. Thank you, Eduardo, for your unwavering loyalty and for being a constant inspiration. Your legacy extends beyond professional achievements; it is a story of mentorship, friendship, and a genuine and enduring human impact.

🍔 Innovative Marketing at Its Best: DDB Prague's McDelivery Campaign 🎨 Creativity knows no bounds, and DDB Prague's recent campaign for McDelivery is a testament to that. By transforming everyday kitchenware into iconic McDonald’s meals, they've not only captured attention but also delivered a powerful message about convenience and cleanliness. 📸 Visual Impact: Through visually striking ads, DDB Prague ingeniously turned a pile of dirty dishes into familiar McDonald’s favorites—Big Mac, French fries, and McSunday. This clever visual representation not only grabbed eyeballs but also effectively communicated the benefit of McDelivery in a refreshingly creative way. 🔍 Insightful Messaging: According to Creative Director Gert Laubscher, the campaign brilliantly combines the insight that people dislike dirty dishes with the convenience of McDelivery. It's a perfect blend of understanding consumer behavior and showcasing how a service like McDelivery can make life easier and more enjoyable. 🌟 Impactful Storytelling: These ads exemplify how creative marketing can transform ordinary objects into compelling narratives. By making the familiar appear new and different, DDB Prague has not just advertised a service but created an experience that resonates with consumers on a deeper level. 🚀 Setting New Standards: This campaign sets a high bar for creativity in marketing. It highlights the power of innovative thinking and visual storytelling in capturing attention, sparking curiosity, and ultimately driving engagement. Let's applaud DDB Prague for their ingenuity and celebrate the art of turning everyday moments into extraordinary experiences. Bravo to a campaign that proves creativity truly knows no limits! DDB McDonald's #MarketingCampaign #CreativeAdvertising #McDelivery #DDBPrague #InnovationInMarketing #VisualStorytelling

Totally agree with that. Creativity brings people and brands together. The more precise and creative the more connected.

And just like that, the remnants of three legacy agency brands with a combined 324 years of experience are wiped from the face of the advertising world.   Wunderman started in 1958, while Y&R was founded in 1923. J. Walter Thompson goes back even further, being founded in 1864. Sure, the last decade has seen dramatic changes and mergers that have significantly altered the original agency brands. But with the news that this new agency will be branded simply as VML, this is now officially the end to all three agency brand names. I spent 10 years of my career at JWT, which turned out to be a mere blip in the overall history of that storied agency brand. I get that time marches on, and profits need to be maximized. But still, it’s sad to see it go.        How long will VML last as an agency brand name? Only time will tell. But with the trend of the Omnicoms and WPPs of the world pitching as holding companies vs agency brands, odds are that VML could get rolled into the WPP mothership in no time. Well, certainly a lot less time than another 324 years from now.   What do you think? How much value do you put on agency brands vs the holding companies that they fall under?