Says Spark Foundry Australia CEO, Sue Squillace (pictured): "This is a great result for us and we are so excited to be working with the team at Peters. This is a testament to our people and culture and more importantly our approach to the communications that we developed for Peters. It's also a reflection of a collaborative partnership developed throughout the process that saw great alignment of the business and what we can achieve together moving forward."

TBWA\Sydney has appointed Tanya Vragalis to the role of head of account management.

Vragalis was previously a group head at M&C Saatchi where she led the Commonwealth Bank business for two and a half years.

Prior to M&C Vragalis spent almost 10 years at Leo Burnett leading businesses like Samsung, GIO Insurance, Big W and Canon.

Her portfolio of responsibilities at TBWA\Sydney are to help evolve the agency's account management team in the face of changing client needs. In addition to this, Vragalis will lead the agency's new Amazon relationship.

Says Nitsa Lotus, managing director, TBWA\Sydney: "People are crucial to any organisations growth. Tanya's depth of experience and strong leadership qualities have already proven she is a brilliant addition to our management team. She has already made a significant impact to the agency in the short time she has been on board." 

UPDATED - Disrupting the traditional industry awards model, The Immortal Awards provides LBB members with a global award that is free to enter, easy to enter and hard to win.

Inspired by Sir John Hegarty's belief that creative companies rarely create more than five genuinely award-worthy pieces per office a year, The Immortal Awards only allows entrants a maximum of five entries.

The limit ensures only the very best creative work is entered and creates a democratic, level playing field for all entrants. It's not about playing the numbers game, it's simply about recognising the creative ideas - and the creative talent behind them - that will live forever.

LBB made the decision that entry should come at no additional cost to its members because they understand the importance of awards in furthering the careers of creatives but recognise just how tough the industry is now, particularly financially. As long as your company or office is a member of Little Black Book, you'll be able to enter the award show free of charge.

Tickets for the 2018 AWARD School Graduation Night are still open, but with only 7 days remaining you will have to be quick to secure your spot at the anticipated event. 

AWARD School state graduation nights will take place in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA on Thursday 26 July from 6:30pm.

This year, the 1st place winners from each state will automatically qualify for the super jury round and will be flown to Sydney for the national announcement, to be held on Tuesday, 7 August. The national winner will visit Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, California for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Facebook's creative agency ambassador group. 

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has launched its latest campaign, 'Unwritten Reviews',via McCann Melbourne

The campaign aims to inspire a new way of reviewing films, through sensory elements that transcend beyond the written word.

Inspired by the festival's mission, the 'Unwritten Reviews' seek to bring to life the emotive response of each film through an unforgettable sensory experience, at times evoking the same response as the films.

Defence Force Recruiting has partnered with Dentsu Aegis Network agencies Cox Inall Change and The Story Lab on the creation and promotion of video content for the Australian Defence Force's Indigenous development programs, to inform and inspire the next generation of Indigenous recruits.

Following six months of documentary-style coverage, charting the highs and lows of recruits across three programs, the content was released to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

The videos provide real life insights into the Indigenous development programs currently on offer from the perspective of recruits in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Melbourne's independent digital shop Rock Agency has appointed Peter Toone to the role of managing partner.

Toone (far left) was previously managing director of Starcom Melbourne, where he had been for 11 years, before departing in December last year.

Says Cam Lee (centre), Rock's managing director and founder: "Pete is a great fit for our business. He brings a wealth of large agency experience obviously, but he's also a great cultural fit for our team which was key. It's great to have him on board to help take the business to the next level."

Digital +Technology Collective (D+TC), the peak body for the digital and technology industry, today announced the finalists for the 2018 AMY Awards.

CHE Proximity leads at the finalist stage with 11 entries shortlisted across five brands - AIA Vitality, carsales, Cochlear, Lego and Velocity. VML is also a strong contender with six entries shortlisted followed by Adrenalin, Deloitte Digital and Respublica with four entries shortlisted each.

The winners of the AMY Awards will be announced at a celebration event on 17 August in Melbourne with tickets available now. The entries were judged by the AMY Jurors Collective, a selected group of industry-respected individuals drawn from the brand, agency, startup and technology areas.

Youngbloods NSW has launched its August panel event, which will see six industry leaders discuss how innovation is transforming our industry. 

The event will take place at General Assembly's HQ on Wednesday 1st August at 7pm. Tickets are $20 and include booze and pizza. 

Buy your tickets here - they're going fast  

Event synopsis: 

It's 2018, and innovation is no longer a buzzword. It's our reality. 

The good old TVC campaign is being left in the shadows of the rising demand for disruptive products, services and other unconventional solutions. The pressure is on brands to continuously innovate, and as a result agencies are evolving and jobs are changing.

So what does this all mean for young people entering the industry at this time of change?

Don't miss out on Youngbloods' biggest event of the year, with a line-up including leading minds from internationally renowned agencies, tech labs and innovation companies:

• TRICKY JIGSAW | Ben Cooper, Founder and Managing Director

• THE IDEAS BODEGA | Nicole Velik, Founder

• R/GA SYDNEY | Craig Brooks, Executive Creative Director

• THE MONKEYS | Jay Morgan, Innovation Director

• NAKATOMI | Andy Timms, Creative Director

• DIGITAL ARTS NETWORK | Elicia Varley, Executive Producer

The most thoughtful global chief creative officer working in advertising today? Malcolm Poynton may well be that. Whether he's delivering a lecture on the history of brands to an auditorium of captivated juniors or pondering the seismic shifts rumbling against the foundations of the old school industry structures, he's always considered. Perhaps that's why he's had such a fruitful time at Cheil, helping to cultivate the South Korean-headquartered network into a global network with creative impact. Working with a major client like Samsung, innovation and technology are woven into the agency's DNA, but Malcolm's never lost sight of the emotional purpose that drives what they do. Perhaps that's because - between the flights from London to Seoul - he makes a point of getting out, immersing himself in the art world or, even better, the great outdoors. As he tells LBB's Laura Swinton, you can't Google life...

Malcolm is also one of the jurors in the upcoming Immortal Awards, which is FREE TO ENTER for all LBB member agencies and production companies.

LBB> You've been at Cheil for three and a half years - what has that experience been like?

MP> It's been three and half years now; it's been amazingly full-on and it's been amazingly satisfying with the creative progress we've made. It's also been an incredible journey of discovering new and different cultures. Seoul is a great place; it's very particular. It's very forward-thinking and, I would say, progressive. And, increasingly, it's a place that the fashion world has got their eye on. It's just full of energy.

AIRBAG has expanded its director roster to include the talented Will Horne.

Horne (pictured left on set with the honey badger), took away first place in the 2018 Straight 8 film competition, and has hit the ground running at AIRBAG, with two projects just released: Volkswagen 'Honey Badger' for DDB Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festival 'Unwritten Reviews'.

With his AWARD School and agency background, Horne's approach combines creativity with pragmatism. He executes work with meticulous attention to craft, and is mindful of all the work that the agency puts into selling through the initial creative concept.

Inspired by the region's diversity of attractions, seasonal colours and all-year-round appeal, Orange360 is the new destination brand identity developed by leading creative agency, Canvas Group, for Orange Region Tourism

The industry-led initiative is supported by Orange City, Cabonne and Blayney Shire Councils, and other tourism operators, accommodation providers, food producers, wineries, cafes and restaurants.

Following a competitive pitch process, Canvas Group was successfully appointed to the role of bringing the region together under one unified brand for the first time, in order to build a cohesive marketing strategy with the aim of increasing tourism numbers and driving economic benefits.

SFI (Soho Flordis International), which includes Flordis in Australia, has appointed Enero-owned Orchard, Sydney as its social and digital content agency of record following a competitive pitch.

Soho Flordis' most recognised brand in Australia is children's cough remedy Prospan.

Among the fresh faces is creative director Nick Jamieson (far left), who'll oversee the creative department alongside Reece Hobbins. As well as a strong beard game, Nick brings a wealth of experience from Clemenger BBDO Melbourne where he was creative director of Activation, working on clients including MARS Chocolate, Petcare, CUB, Nike and Fonterra.

MyRepublic has today unveiled its new brand campaign via Campaign Edge to drive customer engagement across Australia by promoting the brand's unlimited NBN plans using humour to cut through the telco clutter.

Each of the three TVCs targets a different audience to promote a different MyRepublic feature, but each use the light hearted humour associated with the brand to highlight the way we use the internet and how MyRepublic will save the day with their unlimited, super-fast NBN plans.

Frain (near left), currently MCN's Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, replaces outgoing CEO Anthony Fitzgerald (far left). After 15 years as CEO leading MCN, Fitzgerald has decided to take a well-earned break before deciding on any new future opportunities.

Announcing the appointment, MCN chair Stacey Brown congratulated Frain and thanked Fitzgerald for his contribution to MCN.

Under the agreements, News Corp Australia will provide seven-day printing services to Fairfax in NSW and Queensland. Fairfax will print some publications for News Corp out of its North Richmond plant.

News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller says the arrangements demonstrate the company's confidence in the future of printed newspapers and in the influence and impact of trusted newspaper journalism. In addition, he said the arrangements with Fairfax Media provides benefits of scale and efficiency.

The LIA International Awards has announced that Jeremy Craigen, Global Chief Creative Officer of Innocean Worldwide, will preside over the Ambient | Print | Poster | Billboard | Verbal Identity jury.

Host/Havas Australia chief creative officer Darren Spiller (above left) will represent Australia on the jury.

Each week Bestads picks the very best advertising in the world, in every medium - which is reviewed by a top creative director or team to select their own personal favourites.

This week's guest judges are Damon Stapleton, chief creative officer and Shane Bradnick, executive creative director at DDB New Zealand.

BEST TV
Winner: Volkswagen: Complete Confidence. Funny, topical and really brought home the mood of English fans. Classic VW work, a hint of "Surprisingly Ordinary Prices" about it, but without feeling old fashioned. Nice one. READ ON...

Mercury Cider, part of Carlton United Breweries, has joined forces with the tough men of the AFL and NRL to launch 'The Mercury Tough Test' with a TVC campaign via PHD Content - the media agency's content and partnerships arm.

The spots celebrate Mercury's role as official cider of the AFL and NRL. 

In the TVCs, which were directed by Dylan Harrison, players Melbourne Ruckman, Max Gawn and Cronulla Sharks' co-captain, Wade Graham, are put through their paces, trying their hands at what can be considered truly tough jobs. 

Melbourne strategic creative and digital agency HBT has promoted digital director Luke Kelly to partner.

The announcement, which coincides with the agency's 21st birthday, will see Kelly join co-founders David Hayes and Michael Berry on HBT's leadership team.

ŠKODA Australia has launched 'Why WE Ride', its latest campaign via media agency PHD Australia, Sydney.

ŠKODA will be partnering with VMO's gym network across the nation to empower women to get into cycling. One of the groups that have the biggest unfilled potential for cycling are women. Studies show that women tend to cycle much less than men across all age groups. 

Content featuring female cyclists will promote the positive effects of cycling on our body and minds which aim to entice women to get back on the saddle. Through a partnership with VMO Active's gym network (via Fitness First, Fernwood Fitness, Goodlife health clubs, Fit n Fast & Belgravia health & leisure), decals will be tactically placed across spin studios and kids creche doors to reach mums specifically. 

A blog written by Damon Stapleton, chief creative officer of DDB New Zealand

Kia has launched its new Sorento SUV with a new campaign from Innocean Australia.

All Kias come with a wealth of features but the single-minded launch spot focuses on the Sorento's 360-degree camera. 

As the new 7-seat SUV travels through the Aussie countryside, four characters each pose and give a smile for the Sorento's 360-degree camera. A cheeky gnome, a smiley cattle dog, an unusually happy sheep and finally a grinning old croc, which innocently sends the family racing away from the camp ground. A fresh take on the Nat King Cole classic 'Smile' completes this spot.

Bauer Media has launched its No Gender Selective Tax campaign, a push to end what is essentially a tax on being a woman. 

The campaign was created by Bauer Media's insights-led commercial storytelling division, Story54, in collaboration with communications and advocacy agency Collins Gartrell.

The No Gender Selective Tax campaign is a major cross-brand initiative to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the price of tampons, pads and sanitary items for all Australian women.

As a champion for all Australian women, Bauer's leading titles have united to influence legislative change, with 36 media brands, including ELLE, The Australian Women's Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day as well as the Trader Group supporting the campaign. Consumers are encouraged to sign the petition at bloodyannoying.com if they wish to join the campaign.

The fourth issue of Gabberish, creative therapy for creative minds, is out today exploring the issue of Competition. Featuring interviews with CHE CCO Ant White--who's been winning his fair share--as well as Goodoil director Fiona McGee and art director turned artist Josh Robbins, this edition also includes illustrations, GIFs, and a convincing parallel of the advertising industry with the wild.

Says Jess Lilley (pictured), Leo Burnett Melbourne CD and newly appointed co-editor of Gabberish:

"Competition is an ever-present beast that people in creative industries struggle with. Sometimes it helps us thrive but at other times it can be destructive and exhausting. It's certainly something I've been ambivalent about during my career, and it's exciting to become an official Gabberer with this issue. I'm thrilled to be joining this rad publication with Siobhan Fitzgerald, and to help drive these necessary conversations around the highs and lows of working in a creative industry."

Gabberish will be putting out new issues monthly(ish).

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Global brand experience agency Jack Morton Worldwide has lauched its graduate incubator programme in Sydney.

Called EXPOSED, the programme is designed to grow creative talent in the APAC region.

Jack Morton is inviting recent university and college creative graduates to apply for the chance to secure a 12 month paid role with the Sydney Creative team.

Applicants will be tasked with answering a brief in a 30-second video, taken on a smart phone with one restriction - to stay anonymous.

Why? Because it's not about who you are or what you look like. It's all about the idea.

Candidates will need to bring brave thinking, constant curiosity and big ideas to the table to be in with the chance of securing their place.

This week sees the launch of a new advertising campaign for Royal Far West that is the culmination of a full rebrand and positioning undertaken by independent creative agency The Hallway, Sydney.

Since its creation in 1924, Royal Far West has provided essential specialist services like psychology, speech pathology and occupational therapy to thousands of children living in rural and remote areas of Australia. Royal Far West estimate that there are up to 300,000 children who are in need of care but struggling to access the right services at the right time. This campaign aims to drive donations to support the aggressive growth ambitions of Royal Far West who are aiming to support over 15,000 children and families per year by 2020.

The campaign uses the simple motif of a child's tin can telephone to convey Royal Far West's role in connecting Australian country kids to the developmental care they need.

By 2020 the average person will be spending 84 minutes a day watching videos online. In that year, China will have the keenest viewers, with the average person spending 105 minutes a day watching online video, followed by Russia (102 minutes) and the UK (101 minutes). This rapid rise in consumption is leading to a shift in the way brands plan campaigns across both television and online video.

This is the fourth edition of Zenith's annual Online Video Forecasts report. It contains historical data and forecasts of online video consumption and advertising, together with commentaries on the development of individual markets by local experts. This year's edition covers 59 key markets, including Australia. By online video we mean all video content viewed over an internet connection, including broadcaster-owned platforms such as Hulu, 'over-the-top' subscription services like Netflix, video-sharing sites, e.g. YouTube, and videos viewed on social media.