Initiative has announced that it has been appointed as the media agency of record for Sanitarium Health Food Company and will work across the Sanitarium portfolio including iconic brands Weet-Bix, So Good and UP&GO. Initiative’s remit includes overall responsibility for media strategy, planning and buying across all traditional media. Initiative’s CEO Melissa Fein said the team is elated to start the year on a high note and is excited to work with Sanitarium.  “We are beyond excited to partner with Sanitarium, a company known for some of Australia’s most iconic brands, which each and every one of us have grown up with,” Fein said.  “We can’t wait to embed Sanitarium in our ambitious way of thinking, doing, and achieving and help take their brands to the next level.” Jessica Manihera, Head of Marketing ANZ, Sanitarium said the company is in “safe hands” and they will work together with Initiative to achieve great things.  “We are already wholly impres

Initiative has appointed Tom Dodd as national strategy director, based in Melbourne, following the agency’s strong momentum and growth.  Dodd will work alongside chief strategy and product officer, Chris Colter to expand the agency’s strategic offering, product and new business growth. Colter welcomed Dodd’s appointment as he is “pumped to get the band back together.” “Tom is one of the most intelligent and charismatic media strategists in the industry, and one of the most awarded,” Colter said.  “Tom is an exceptional collaborator with extensive experience leading agency villages. Balancing that with his ‘client-side’ perspective makes him an invaluable asset to Initiative’s already market-leading strategy team.” Tom Dodd said he has loved his time client side and is excited to have worked with such an iconic brand and people.  “These days clients look for interesting ideas and experiences to solve their business challenges, so I’m excited to be j

Creative communications agency One Green Bean (ogb) has kicked off the new year with a strengthened, innovation-focused leadership team appointing Amber Abbott to Managing Director, to focus on driving innovation, and the promotion and return of senior team members. Abbott will assume responsibility for the agency’s strategic direction and will report directly to Global Chairman Havas PR Global Collective, James Wright. Abbott said the agency has been committed to helping brands “earn attention through creativity.”  “In 2023 we will continue to empower our people to create the world’s most powerful work with a renewed focus on multi-platform, innovative earned ideas. With our incredible stable of clients and a team bursting with talent, I am looking forward to seeing what we will achieve this year,” she said. James Wright, Global Chairman Havas PR Global Collective said ogb has been a “pioneer in creative communications space” for over a decade through innovation

GT Communications has announced a raft of changes to the team with the agency’s Founder and Executive Director Gemma Tognini moving to Sydney to lead the agency’s expanded national presence.  Gemma Tognini wrote on LinkedIn the changes to the team in the year 2023 as the firm grows and expands nationally.  “2023 is an important year for me personally, and for the team,” Tognini said. “GT Communications, the company I started in my spare room with a $500 computer (dial-up internet!!) and a mobile phone, will celebrate its 20th birthday later this year. A recession, a GFC and a pandemic later and our offices in Perth and Sydney are thriving. I couldn’t be prouder of how we’ve emerged from the challenges of the past two and a half years. In response to the strong growth and demand for what we do, I’m happy to share some changes in our team.”  “Together with our National Client Services director Katie Rodwell and specialist advisor Willie Rowe, our leadership te

Strategic communications consultancy Shoebridge Knowles Media Group (SKMG) has announced the appointment of Sam Somers to the newly created role of General Manager.  In the new role, Somers will add to his remit managing the operations of SKMG and its staff while continuing to oversee select accounts.  SKMG Co-Founder and Partner, Andrew Knowles said Somers has made a big impact on the firm.  “Since becoming our first employee in 2020, Sam has made a huge difference to SKMG and what we can offer clients. As SKMG enters its next stage of growth, I’m so excited to welcome him to the role,” Knowles said. Somers joined SKMG in October 2020 as a Communications Consultant. He was previously the Senior Communications Manager at the media and marketing communications agency PHD Australia. He has also worked at m2m Media and Hearts & Science and is the co-owner of Debut Studio, a Surry Hills-based concept photography studio.  Somers’ promotion follows the appointment of S

Initiative has retained the media business for energy networks owner, Jemena Limited following a competitive pitch, extending a 10-year relationship with the brand and has expanded its remit with Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS) being awarded Jemena’s creative account.  Initiative’s responsibilities include all national and local broadcast media buying, print, outdoor, radio, cinema, digital, search, social and addressable and other media buying such as strategic and communication design responsibilities. MBCS’ remit covers all creative and production services and executions. Melissa Fein, CEO Initiative said she is excited to start the year re-signing a long-term client and the team is energised to help Jemena increase its customer base as it expands its network across regional and urban centres throughout New South Wales. “Jemena walks our talk; they are passionate about their customers, ambitious in their plans to decarbonise their networks and totally committed to a s

Mediabrands Australia has announced that Geoff Clarke will add the newly created role of COO Mediabrands Australia to his remit.  Clarke will be responsible for driving operational and organisational improvements across the entire group as well as retaining his COO and new business development responsibilities for Initiative. Mark Coad CEO Mediabrands Australia said the expanded leadership role is a “well-deserved recognition” for Clarke who has led the Group’s ground-breaking transformational agenda. “Geoff is an outstanding leader. While still keeping his fingers 100 per cent on the pulse at Initiative, he successfully positioned Mediabrands as an industry leader in the use of automation and BOTs considerably reducing repetitive and menial work and significantly improving the way we work across the entire Group. “As part of his expanded role Geoff will continue to lead IPG’s transformation agenda throughout APAC, while leading operational integration and the way our