Publicis Groupe announces relaunch of Performics Mercerbell to Razorfish
(Pictured L-R: Jennifer Lloyd, finance and commercial director; Jason Tonelli, CEO; Andie Tickner, chief customer officer; Vaughan Townsend, ECD, Jessica Farrell, head of people and culture; George Sarris, COO)
Publicis Groupe ANZ has announced the return of the Razorfish brand to the Australian market, with the relaunch and rebrand of Performics Mercerbell to Razorfish.
Says Michael Rebelo, CEO, Publicis Groupe ANZ: “After almost two years into the Performics Mercerbell journey, we identified that what the agency has been doing in data, technology, creative and media has really accelerated as a single proposition for its customers. As a digital marketing transformation network, we believe that Razorfish best reflects how the business has evolved.
“And as we look to the future, we can see a clear opportunity for Razorfish to supercharge the development and delivery of creatively-led platforms, whilst at the same time using the intelligence from media and ad technology to holistically solve problems for brands.”
The agency will continue to be led by CEO, Jason Tonelli.
Says Tonelli: “Culturally we are perfectly aligned to the Razorfish brand and approach – from our ambition to connect purpose to performance, to the work we already do for our customers. We connect media, data and tech creatively through ‘intent’. Our proven approach to digital marketing transformation is to create experiences that convert intention into growth for our customers, so that we achieve the desired outcome by activating a brand’s purpose across channels.”
In announcing the news, Razorfish has also signed GuildSuper and IVE Group as new customers.
Says Tonelli: “Both of these wins underscore our focus on connecting purpose to performance. We will be developing new territories for these brands to own, with plans to go to market next year,” Tonelli said.
Other Razorfish clients include Westpac, Anytime Fitness, Lenovo, AMEX, Red Energy and Ancestry.com.
Performics will continue to operate as a performance marketing offering, also led by Tonelli.
In staff appointments, general manager George Sarris has been promoted to the new role of chief operating officer, while Andie Tickner has been brought in to the new position of chief customer officer.
Says Tonelli: “I’m excited to welcome Andie to the agency. As part of her remit, she will lead our account service teams across all disciplines and help our customers unlock the value of connecting purpose to performance. I am really proud to be able to recognise George for his contribution to our business – in his new role, leading the orchestration of customer solutions across the areas of content, analytics, strategy and technology.”
4 Comments
Always thought that old name was awful.
Different name, same people – thats the problem. Resurrecting an agency from 10 years ago is hardly forward thinking!!! Doesn’t Publicis already have Digitas in the group, playing in that space.
The problem with this agency is their lack of ability to attract and retain good creative thinkers. They once had them, but mysteriously they all vanished, along with the clients.
Just has gone downhill and everything built up by the original company – the culture, the family feel, the clients and the work is no more. It’s good the Mercerbell name no longer has to be associated with this.