News review February 2013

BCM first to use Vine

Brisbane-based creative agency BCM becomes the first Aussie agency to use Twitter’s new Vine offering with a six-second spot for client Sunny Queen Farms.

Meerkat comes to Aus

One of advertising’s most enduring characters, meerkat Alexandr Orlov, hits Australian screens as ad agency VCCP launches Comparethemarket.com.au Down Under.

M&C Saatchi bringS in Leggett

Kiwi Jaimes Leggett is brought in as CEO for M&C Saatchi Australia from Ogilvy UK, to take over day-to-day operations of the agency. Worldwide chairman Tom Dery and regional creative director Tom McFarlane insist they are “not going anywhere”. In June managing director Dave Whittle will abruptly leave the agency after a decade.

Unilever hires new local marketing heads

Unilever Australia/New Zealand promotes Hugo Verkuil and Andrea Martens to lead the company’s marketing push after the departure of Peter Boone in late 2012.

CUB top marketer lands global role

The marketing chief of Carlton & United Breweries Andy Gibson resigns after just 15 months to take on the role of CMO and president of Bacardi Global Brands based in London.

Metro claims Dumb Ways works

Initial findings for Metro Trains in Melbourne shows stupid behaviour and injuries on the train network dropped 20 per cent in the wake of the viral smash Dumb Ways to Die.

Phelan exits MediaCom

MediaCom Melbourne CEO Phil Phelan leaves the agency to take up a role as head of strategy with SapientNitro. He is replaced by new business director Peter Barrie.

Spreets ends group buying offer

Seven West Media affiliated group buying site Spreets becomes the first of the major players to pull out of the ultra-competitive market, moving to become a product list site.

Paul Fishlock goes to court

Former Campaign Palace ECD Paul Fishlock has his first day in court claiming unfair dismissal against WPP.

Blackberry hire Du Vernet for phone launch

Embattled mobile maker Blackberry hires Tongue’s MD John Du Vernet as interim marketing boss to spearhead the phone’s launch in Australia. Despite a large business marketing blitz, the company reports underwhelming worldwide sales for the latest handset.

Warburton replaced by McLennan at Ten

James Warburton is ousted by the Network Ten board just a year after taking over as CEO. His exit follows a series of program flops and diminishing sales share. He is replaced by former GPY&R exec Hamish McLennan, who signals a shift in demographic focus to target an older market.

Fairfax reveals compact, delays paywall

Fairfax unveils the first look at its new compact editions for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, but delays implementing its paywall. The paywall will eventually go live in June.

Works globally for Jim Beam

Sydney agency The Works signs a deal with Germany’s Jung von Matt and StrawberryFrog of the US to beat several networks to the Jim Beam global account. The agency wins a Global Effie in May for its Devil’s Cut work.

Steel takes advisory role with Meerkats

One of the most respected planners in the industry Jon Steel takes an advisory role with West Australian agency Meerkats. Steel says he will remain with GPY&R where he is chief strategy office, as the two agencies move closer together.

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